A visit from a national consortium of retailers will "without a doubt" lead to investment opportunities in Bradford's numerous commercial developments, according to Maud Marshall, the head of Bradford Centre Regeneration.

She was speaking after a consortium from the British Council of Shopping Centres visited the city to see what it has to offer.

The delegation of 45 retailers, architects and agents from the BCSC toured the city, looking at retail projects, as well as viewing presentations on what future developments will mean for Bradford.

Among the places visited were the Kirkgate Centre and the site of the ten-acre Broadway development, where work is due to get underway in January.

Once completed the development will consist of 54,600 sq metres of retail space alongside three residential and office buildings.

The visit was organised ahead of the BCSC's annual conference which takes place today in Manchester where the consortium's findings will be one of the topics of discussion.

Mrs Marshall said: "This was an excellent opportunity for Bradford to showcase its emerging retail offer - primarily through Broadway and recently refurbished Kirkgate shopping centre and also through further development.

"Without a doubt this will mean increased investment opportunities. There were some really big players here and the feedback has been very positive. The visit will also bolster links with leading retailers and strengthen Bradford's position in the process."

Those sentiments were echoed by Tony Reeves, chief executive of Bradford Council, who said: "More and more people are beginning to see what Bradford has to offer and this event should help generate business opportunities for the future."

Peter Miller, director of development, design and construction at Westfield, the company behind the multi-million pound Broadway development, was among those who attended the event.

He said: "There were plenty people who came here to Bradford for the first time and I think everyone was pleasantly surprised with the way the city looks and what opportunities exist here.

"What is important now is that we build on that."

e-mail: mark.casci@bradford.newsquest.co.uk