BRADFORD could soon cement its reputation as the UK’s curry capital with a proposal to create a “centre of excellence” for international cuisine.

The multi-million pound development would see an empty office building turned into a training facility for up-and-coming chefs, as well as a 20-bedroom hotel, restaurant and conference facilities.

If the new planning application is approved, Kingfisher House in Filey Street would be refurbished and expanded, with a new entrance inspired by the architecture of the Burj al Arab building in Dubai.

The restaurant would accommodate up to 400 people, and the banqueting facility would accommodate a similar number.

The application is by Mi7 Developments, which is working in partnership with Jinnah Restaurants, which will fund the proposal, and the World Curry Festival, and says the development would create up to 140 jobs as well as helping “plug the growing gap in appropriately qualified and trained staff required in the Bradford ‘curry’ sector”.

Many kitchen staff in the city’s restaurants are trained on the job.

The plans describe it as “a multi-million pound facility that will crystallise Bradford’s reputation as the Curry Capital in particular”.

The group says it has been in pre-application discussions with Bradford Council for several months, and the application says the group is also in talks with the Council's caterering department as well as Leeds City College and the University of East London.

Mohammed Ishtiaq, of Mi7 Developments Limited, said: "We are delighted to have finally submitted the application for this multi-million pound development, which will include a unique Centre of Excellence that will provide much needed staff to the international catering and hospitality sector in particular.

"The development will deliver a partnership and innovative approach in working with business in the city and beyond."

He added: "We are now looking forward to a positive decision this summer so plans can be made for a start on site by the end of the year."

Last year Bradford was named Curry Capital of the UK for a record breaking sixth time, beating major cities across the country to the prestigious title.

The applicants say the proposal would help train “international” chefs to high levels.

The empty offices would be expanded, with an extra 2,900 square metres of space created.

The planning application says: “The city of Bradford is particularly synonymous with the ‘curry’ industry, which has an estimated value of £4 billion nationally and £500m of this is attributed to Bradford.

“Students and trainees will be brought into the facility by the World Curry Festival and their education partners, where they will obtain ‘classroom’ learning combined with on the job experience in the on-site restaurant and conference/ hospitality facility – culminating in being awarded with appropriate accreditations, ready for employment in this growing sector.

“The scheme will bring a large unused building back into life, and re-energise this area of Bradford.

“It will provide significant employment, provide world foods catered hospitality on a large scale to Bradford, and provide a supply of trained and experienced staff to the curry capital.”

The existing building, which was built in 1998 for use by NatWest bank, has been empty for five years, and the application says: “The prospect of making good with a view of bringing an office occupier or occupiers back to the building is not viable as confirmed by the property and marketing agents.

“The financial investment (to repair the building) would be significant and the realistic return from the limited office tenants does not justify that.”

The application says the design will “merge influences from the best of the local architecture, and the best of Asian architecture”.

It adds: “The distinctive shape of the Burj al Arab in Dubai has been used as a starting point for the two main entrances, and provides the signature style for the centre of excellence.”

Mike Cartwright, of Bradford’s Chamber of Commerce, said: “This sounds like an interesting development than can further cement Bradford’s reputation in the food and drink sector, creating jobs and adding growth in the process.

“Skills shortages are acute in several sectors and so, if the city is to retain its position in the curry industry and not rest on its laurels, this would seem a good way to support that.

“There are also far too many empty buildings around the city so bringing existing ones back into use is a good thing.”

A decision on the application is expected in August.

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