Discount department store TJ Hughes is looking to sell part of its premises in Bradford.

The Liverpool-based chain bought Sunwin House, in Godwin Street, from Manchester-based United Co-operatives in October 2005.

But bosses at TJ Hughes have now decided a section of the huge building is surplus to requirements.

TJ Hughes will continue to trade as normal from the larger and older part of Sunwin House, built in the 1930s.

But the 1950s annex to the building, which is 50,000 square feet, is available for sale or possible let.

The building is already attracting interest and is expected to appeal to other retailers or property developers keen to be part of Bradford's regeneration.

Richard Foggin, property manager for TJ Hughes, said: "There's two parts to the building and it is not the main section that's up for sale, but the annex that was built later.

"We are quite happy with trading, but the building is just too big for us at the moment.

"We are looking to optimise our operations there. All the staff are aware that there is surplus space "Other retailers may be interested but it's also a store which lends itself to conversion to other uses, including residential.

"There's a huge regeneration plan for Bradford and the annex we are selling is part of that designated area, so there could be quite a lot of developer interest." Mr Foggin said TJ Hughes had to buy the whole of Sunwin House as part of the original deal.

But he refused to disclose how much money the store was hoping to make from the part sale of the building.

Campbell Carruth, of Ryden, the agents handling the sale, said: "It could be useful for other department stores and occupiers coming in from a retail perspective or it could potentially be converted for other uses, like what's going on next door at the Odeon site.

"This has been used as over-spill space by TJ Hughes and they are looking to rationalise their space.

"There's a potential for this site to tie in with development opportunities on part of the adjoining temporary car park.

"There has already been a reasonable amount of interest all across the board."

The site surrounding Sunwin House was the subject of massive development plans in 2001 when Yorkshire Co-operative Ltd was granted planning permission to create bars, restaurants, a hotel, nightclub and apartments.

But the project, with an estimated cost of £20 million, was never carried out.

e-mail: will.kilner@bradford.newsquest.co.uk