A LEADING retail body has named Bradford as an example of excellence in regeneration.

The British Council of Shopping Centres (BCSC) has listed the city as one of nine areas of the UK where the public and private sector united to drive forward city centre redevelopment.

Its new report, written by senior industry figures, names the award-winning City Park as an exemplar project, saying it came at a time when Bradford "needed a major injection of confidence in the post-recession years and following the lack of progress with the Bradford Broadway Shopping Centre project".

It also praised the £35 million City Centre Growth Zone scheme, saying this was well on the way to creating 2,500 new jobs in Bradford city centre, including 500 in independent businesses.

The Growth Zone, funded jointly by the Government and Bradford Council, gave business rate rebates to firms creating jobs and also gave capital grants allowing start-up and established businesses to improve buildings.

BCSC's report, called Enabling Retail Development, also praised regeneration schemes in Oldham, Sheffield, Walsall, Newport, Ealing, Hounslow, Hemel Hempstead and Woking, in a bid to inspire other local authorities to take on regeneration schemes.

The list was unveiled at an event in central London, where industry leaders were invited to debate how the private and public sector can bring about meaningful regeneration in more of Britain’s towns and cities.

Yesterday, Mark Bourgeois, senior vice president of the BCSC, said: "The examples presented today show how positive, partnership-led regeneration can dramatically enhance a local area and revitalise communities.

"Through today’s debate and in sharing this research publicly, we hope to encourage the development of clear local plans and invite local authorities to engage and work alongside the private sector to bring about positive change in their areas."

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Bradford Council's executive member for skills and culture, said: "It's good to see Bradford held up as an example to other towns and cities about how to use investment to regenerate an area.

"City Park was built at a time when capital funding was hard to secure. This hugely popular space quickly became a landmark, not only strengthening the city's brand, but indicating a return of confidence.

"The publication also highlights Bradford's City Centre Growth Zone, the business incentive programme which is also something unique.

"No other town or city has managed to secure this type of investment."