Businesses are increasingly upset over the lack of progress in regenerating Bradford’s “tired” city centre, according to a new survey.

They believe it is the most important area for action in reviving the district’s image and the local economy.

Following Bradford Chamber of Commerce’s annual policy priority survey of its 1,100 members, it said temporary landscaping of the Westfield site on Broadway should be a priority and it has urged Bradford Council, which has taken responsibility for regeneration back in-house, to act quickly to make the city more business friendly.

The survey found the number of firms calling for action to revitalise the city rose by ten per cent to 62 per cent year-on-year. Regeneration ranked ahead of inward investment, help for manufacturers and skills development.

Harold Robinson, chamber president, said: “It’s clear to all that, however thriving and bustling commerce is in outlying areas, the heart of a successful town or city needs to be seen to be pumping the action.

“Image, profile, confidence and economic activity will all improve when that happens. The centre of Bradford is seen to be tired and desperately in need of major restoration.” In response, Councillor Adrian Naylor, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration and economy, said the Council could not alone lift private sector confidence and urged the chamber to lobby the Government for more funds.

He said: “Regeneration of the city centre has been the key priority for the Council, is the key priority and will remain the key priority.”

Barra Mac Ruairi, the Council’s strategic director for regeneration, said: “Already Bradford Council is progressing the central project – the £24.4 million publicly-funded City Park which is under construction and due for completion in summer 2011.

“This will dramatically change the face of Bradford city centre, creating an attractive environment and a stimulus to the local retail, leisure and business economies.”

The results of talks with investors and developers about city centre sites would be seen in future years but the Council “shared the frustration” over the halted Broadway development, said Mr Mac Ruairi.

He said: “We are in regular discussions with Westfield and once confidence returns among retailers nationally, we expect that work on the scheme will re-start.”

Despite the Chamber’s concern about city centre development, its latest quarterly survey showed confidence continued to pick up among businesses during the last quarter of last year.