Closing Bradford's old market was a big mistake, says the man in charge of regenerating the city.

"I think everyone would admit it was one of the worst things Bradford Council did in the 1990s," said Bradford Council's deputy leader Councillor Simon Cooke, who is also executive member for regeneration.

Traders were moved out of Rawson Market in 1995 to make way for a multi-million pound redevelopment of the old market site.

But six years after the area was demolished, work is still waiting to commence.

"It is a shame it has taken so long, but there have been delays in securing a core tenant for the project," said Coun Cooke.

Former market traders were forced to relocate to a £1.2 million purpose-built market in Rawson Place.

But shop owners claim the positioning of the new market has deterred customers and forced several businesses to close.

Jeff Frankell of the Bradford Retail Action Group said many businesses had struggled to survive.

"Everyone's business has suffered as a result of the huge hole in the ground where the old market stood," he said.

"This used to be a thriving area with a large flow of customers, but not anymore."

Now at last it would seem the £7 million retail development project planned for the former market site is coming to fruition.

Developers Chartback are holding advanced talks with an unnamed retailer specialising in non-food household goods to secure a main anchor for the Rawson Quarter project.

Stephen McManus of Chartback said: "We are now at the stage of inviting tenders from building contractors. There are two local firms in the running and we hope to start work in October."

The project will incorporate old parts of the original building with a new development and will provide a variety of food outlets.

"It will be a truly multi-cultural shopping and food experience," said Mr McManus.

Coun Cooke said: "We want to create a real cosmopolitan theme and particularly want to attract Asian women who tend to only shop in their own locality."

With that in mind, developers are trying to encourage a number of specialist Asian retailers selling food, clothes and goods.