News that a Middlesex-based property company has already invested more than £10 million in apartments in what its boss has described as a "swanky trendy city", namely Bradford, is not only a terrific boost for the city but is also vindication of the way its future is being promoted.

Manoj Rithatha's Summertime Properties company has acquired properties in Lister's Mill, Byron Halls and at Victoria Mill, Saltaire. And Mr Rithatha is so impressed with Bradford's prospects that he has vowed to return with his cheque book as more apartments come on stream, buying "off plan" even before building has started.

By his own admission he is a man who looks at this city and sees its positive side: the "stunning" architecture, the Alhambra Theatre and National Museum of Photography, Film and Television, the character and history of Little Germany, the restaurants.

And he has obviously been impressed by plans for the Broadway shopping centre and Will Alsop's master plan. In the latter, he has seen the point which is missed by some Bradford "naysayers". The masterplan is not written in stone. Some of its proposals may come to nothing, while others will be converted into built reality.

What the plan is doing, though, is what it was meant to do: demonstrate to the world that Bradford is a go-ahead place eager to explore all options and encourage innovative development and exciting architecture. It was drafted with the express purpose of attracting interest. Mr Rithatha's heavy investment proves that it is doing its job.