Six more retailers have signed up to the Broadway shopping scheme in a "significant boost" for the long-awaited city centre development.

Westfield, which is spearheading the project, announced today that Topshop & Topman, Evans, Dorothy Perkins, Burtons, Wallis, and Miss Selfridge will all take stores within the £340 million centre.

The announcement has been welcomed by Councillor Andrew Mallinson, Bradford Council's executive member for regeneration, who said the new retailers would ensure a "vibrant mix" of products within the development.

The six retailers, all part of the Arcadia Group, join two other household names that have already signed up as anchor tenants - Marks & Spencer and Debenhams. Arcadia Group is owned by the investment vehicle of billionaire Sir Philip Green, whose other company, British Home Stores, pulling out of the Broadway scheme earlier this month.

As a result of the new signings, Miss Selfridge and Wallis will be returning to Bradford after leaving the city.

The move also enables Topshop & Topman, Evans, Dorothy Perkins and Burtons to take larger stores within the city centre.

Neil Maclure, development executive at Westfield, said: "We're delighted to have exchanged contracts with the Arcadia Group.

"This will help Arcadia enhance its range of fashion stores in Bradford, particularly by bringing two of its well-known brands back to Bradford city centre.

"This deal provides a significant boost to our development, which will include more than 100 retail units, a food court, residential apartments and office accommodation. In addition, the Westfield development will bring around 3,000 permanent jobs to the city."

Coun Mallinson said: "I must congratulate Westfield on this latest announcement. Having further quality retailers under the Arcadia group name signed up for the development is a huge boost for the city. We are now assured of a vibrant mix of good quality products for all ages."

Mary Frame, of Bradford Chamber of Trade, said: "It's excellent news that more retailers have been secured.

"This is a big step forward. We are starting to believe in them now and are starting to believe the project will be delivered.

"All we need now is a start date. There should be no reason now to hold it up any longer."

Meanwhile, remedial works are continuing on Broadway to prepare the site for construction work to begin.

Arcadia Group is the UK's largest privately owned clothing retailer with more than 2,500 outlets, with brands that can be found on all of the UK's high streets and in major shopping centres.

The company's brands also operate in more than 30 countries across Europe, the Far East and Middle East via 420 international franchise stores.

Arcadia Group is owned by Taveta Investments Ltd, the investment vehicle of Sir Philip Green and his family. Ian Grabiner is the group's chief operating officer and each of the brands' managing directors report to him. Mr Grabiner's cousin, Lord Grabiner QC, is Arcadia's non-executive chairman.

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