ENGLAND'S largest not-for-profit provider of housing and care to older people has opened a new business hub for 250 staff in Bradford city centre.

Anchor has increased its presence in Bradford by bringing colleagues from offices across the North of England together in Aldermanbury House, on Godwin Street.

The new building was officially opened today following a £1.5 million refurbishment project, and the move has been labelled as one of the "largest single office transactions" in Bradford city centre for five years.

The majority of the staff have transferred from two former Anchor sites in Bradford - Ambler Mill and Milestone Place - but around ten roles have been newly-created to be based at the hub.

Anchor’s chief executive, Jane Ashcroft, said: "Anchor colleagues have worked at Ambler Mill and Milestone Place for many years, and we are keen to remain a key local employer and contributor to Bradford’s economy.

"Having the majority of our Support Services teams together in one building will encourage more cross-team working and collaboration, so that Anchor can deliver better and quicker customer service and create a great place to work."

Aldermanbury House had previously served as a call centre for the travel firm Thomas Cook between 2000 and 2013, with the building closing its doors in March of that year.

Councillor Roger L'Amie, the Deputy Lord Mayor of Bradford, joined Ms Ashcroft and hundreds of Anchor staff at the opening, which was also attended by other partners involved in the move, including representatives from Bradford Council, which had supported the project with City Growth Zone funding.

Nick Twigg, director of building consultancy at Leeds-based Bilfinger GVA, a partner in the project, said: "Anchor’s move to Aldermanbury House represents one of the largest single city centre transactions in the Yorkshire region during 2014, and has set in motion a chain reaction of lettings within Bradford which is really exciting.

"Movement in the lettings market has led to an increased investor appetite for Bradford city centre, with The Interchange, Aldermanbury House, and Ambler Mill, all being purchased by investors following the Anchor move."

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, portfolio holder for employment at Bradford Council, said: "It's good to celebrate such a strong investment in Bradford city centre and the jobs that come with it.

"Bradford was in competition with other cities for Anchor, so it's a significant win for us.

"I'm glad the Council's City Growth Zone programme was able to support the move."

Anchor currently has 87 housing sites within West Yorkshire, 20 of which are in the Bradford district.