More than 1,000 new jobs could be coming to Bradford through two major developments, the Telegraph & Argus can reveal today.

A major shopping chain wants to build a £15 million superstore in Bradford city centre. And an international company wanting to open a call centre - which could bring 750 new jobs - has short-listed Bradford with another major city.

The new superstore - which would swallow up an 80-place council workers' car park - could bring 350 full-time jobs to the district.

Bradford Council today confirmed it was in talks with a retail company.

Sandy Needham, director of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, said: "Bradford has now got the confidence factor. When one development comes in, another follows. People want to invest here."

Bradford's Regeneration committee chairman Councillor Dave Green would not name the firm but said it was a household name.

The company would take over a seven-acre site in Nelson Street close to the new multi-million pound Abbey National headquarters due to be completed in autumn.

The new development would include a petrol filling station and a 550 space car park. The superstore would sell both food and non-food items in a massive 78,600 sq ft building.

A draft scheme is now expected to be worked up with officers, to be followed by a planning application to the Council.

A study on the impact of the store on other shops will also be carried out, together with an analysis of traffic flows.

The land is owned by eight parties, including the Council. Talks have already started with the private owners and the Council says there has been good progress.

The Council says the massive development would also bring jobs in the construction industry.

Eric Hudson, president of Bradford Chamber of Trade and chairman of Bradford Retail Action Group, said anything which brought jobs was good news for the district.

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