Westfield response to Broadway-visit request ‘is pathetic’ claims Councillor (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Westfield response to Broadway-visit request ‘is pathetic’ claims Councillor

7:36pm Monday 5th October 2009 in

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The company behind Bradford’s stalled Broadway development has responded to a challenge from a city Councillor.

Councillor David Ward invited Westfield bosses to visit Bradford and see the consequences of the empty site for themselves.

In a letter to group chairman Frank Lowy in Australia, Councillor David Ward said: “I am writing to try to explain to you the devastating and debilitating impact your failure to develop the Bradford site is having.”

In response to the letter, Westfield would not say whether Mr Lowy intended to take Coun Ward up on his invitation, but did point out Mr Lowy’s name had been spelt incorrectly.

A spokesman for Westfield, which put the £320m development on hold earlier this year, said: “We understand the impacts the global financial crisis has had on delayed schemes in Bradford.

“Westfield has already made a significant investment in Bradford but also must satisfy its responsibilities to shareholders. We are monitoring markets very closely so we are able to balance our decisions on new project commencements.”

Coun Ward said: “My reaction to that is ‘blah blah blah’. It’s pathetic. When Frank turns up in Bradford, I will apologise (for the incorrect spelling), but at the moment it is him who should be apologising.

“We are not saying they should get their machines onto the site and start building immediately, but they should be making some sort of contribution to the education and training of young people so, when the site is developed, we have got a pool of young people that can benefit.”

Meanwhile, potential anchor tenants in the Broadway shopping scheme are monitoring the situation. A spokesman for Marks & Spencer said: “We remain interested in the scheme and await clarity around development dates.”