More big names from the High Street could be added to the Broadway shopping centre after the development attracted major interest at a national conference.

Plans for the city's multi-million pound shopping centre were showcased at the British Council of Shopping Centres' (BCSC) annual conference in Manchester this week in front of more than 3,000 retail professionals from the UK.

And the blueprints and vision for the centre proved to be the conference's big hit, with developers Westfield already in negotiation with some major names in the retail world who are interested in opening outlets there.

Discussions are still in the formative stages but bosses are hopeful that more major retailers will join the list of high street giants who will be based in Broadway. The news comes as a welcome boost to the Australian developers who are due to begin construction work on the project in January.

So far Bhs and Debenhams are expected to be the among the main tenants in the £300 million complex, which will include 100 shops, two department stores, 171 apartments and a large car park.

Peter Miller, Westfield's director of development, said: "We had a hugely positive response from the retail community during the conference.

"As a result, we have entered into discussions with a number of retailers who are excited by the prospects offered by Bradford and are interested in opening a store in our development.

"Retailers are starting to appreciate the opportunity that Bradford represents - this is a tremendous achievement."

The showcase followed a visit to Bradford by delegates from the BCSC earlier this week.

The delegates - comprising architects, retailers and agents - toured the city to look at what Bradford currently has to offer and view presentations on what it has planned for the future.

Bradford Centre Regeneration (BCR), the company overseeing the regeneration of the city, hosted the delegates and attended the conference to answer questions on what Bradford's future will hold.

BCR chief executive Maud Marshall said: "Bradford has been showcased to major retailers and industry professionals from across the UK.

"Senior delegates have been brought to the city to discover Bradford's emerging retail environment. Westfield's investment in the project shows a retail commitment to the city's development programme.

"The BCSC conference has put Bradford firmly on the map, allowing people to see the potential of the city as a retail and leisure destination."

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