Clothing giant Next looks set to take over the old C&A building in the centre of Bradford.

The store in Broadway is part of the proposed £200 million redevelopment of Central House, Petergate, Forster House and Midland House.

C&A sent shockwaves through the city when it revealed it was axing all 109 stores in the United Kingdom.

Now Next intends to open one of its Next Clearance stores in the building when C&A moves out at the end of the month. Next will create 80 full and part-time jobs.

The company has already started advertising for staff and a recruitment day will be held at the Midland Hotel on Thursday, May 17.

A Next spokesman said company officials were still negotiating with C&A as to whether the move would be permanent in light of the £200 million redevelopment.

Bradford Council wants to transform the Broadway end of the town into a £200 million shopping development and is in the process of negotiating with existing tenants. The work is not expected to start until at least next year.

A Next spokesman said: "The matter is under discussion at the moment and we cannot say whether the move will be permanent.

"We are currently trying to take the lease over but it's difficult to say anymore. We are certainly trying our best to secure the building for the long term."

C&A was formed and is still owned by the secretive Brenninkmeyer family who set up in Bradford in 1959.

The Next spokesman said some of the existing C&A staff would be taken on along with Next staff and new employees.

Councillor Simon Cooke, Executive member for regeneration, said: "It's very good news that, when C&A leaves, the building will not be empty.

"It will keep that part of town alive during what will be a difficult period for it."

David Brasier, who is overseeing the closure of the Bradford C&A, said the store would close its doors at lunchtime on May 31.

A C&A spokesman said she could not confirm Next were taking over the store until the final contracts were exchanged but confirmed the companies were negotiating.