Work to redevelop the Westfield shopping centre site and former Odeon is coming closer to fruition and will help drive the city centre forward, Bradford Council’s strategic director for regeneration and culture pledged yesterday.

Speaking at Bradford Business Conference, Barra Mac Ruairi, who has held the post since 2008, said the city’s cultural offering was key to its success, highlighting the importance of the National Media Museum, Alhambra, Bradford Mela and last year’s British Science Festival.

He said: “When I see culture I don’t see it as something that stands alone from industry, but something intrinsically within it because I think culture is something innovation comes out of.”

Mr Mac Ruairi insisted Austalian company Westfield was the right company to develop the Broadway site and said its plans were progressing. He said: “We want them (Westfield) in the city and they are moving closer to that.”

Mr Mac Ruairi, who was on a panel of regeneration and business experts, said he wanted the New Victoria Place development of the Odeon building to be delivered, offering potential employment to 500 people.

He said: “I know the Odeon is very contentious but equally there’s another group of people who say ‘just get on with it, that’s what we need.’ I want to see it as a place of employment.”

The panel, which also included Mike Cowlam, the Council’s assistant director for economic development and property, answered questions on how businesses will benefit from Bradford’s £34 million growth zone, which will see a rate relief scheme in the city centre.

Mr Mac Ruairi added: “My vision for the city is to become a producer city, not just a manufacturing city, a city that creates, that trades, that makes.”

Despite Council job losses and budget cuts, officers had retained their “passion and good will” for helping the city grow, he said.

He unveiled ten key steps for growth, including the opening of Culture Fusion and City Park as well as developments at the University of Bradford and Bradford College. Steps yet to be completed included the installation of superfast broadband between Bradford and Leeds, as part of the Government’s £100 million super-connected cities project.