Bradford will show Britain how to do the business - just as it sets up its high-powered city centre company.

The executive committee has agreed to follow the example of Coventry in setting up a non-profit making partnership company made up of the private and public sector and leading organisations.

Bradford Council leader Margaret Eaton and the Chief Executive would be board members.

It comes as the British Urban Regeneration Association has picked the city as the venue for a national conference on how to breath new life into the country's town and city streets. The same association recognised development at Little Germany in Bradford early in the last decade.

And today the association's company secretary, Gerald Cary-Elwes, had high praise for the decision to set up the city centre partnership company in a bid to draw in investment and provide quality management and services.

Speakers at the conference will include developer Tom Bloxham, who wants to transform the south wing of landmark Manningham Mills into offices, leisure and housing. Yorkshire Forward chief executive Martin Havenhaud will also be present with director of Government Regional offices Felicity Everiss.

The conference, to be attended by delegates from across the country, will be held on November 16 at the Business and Innovation Centre.

Mr Cary-Elwes described the setting up of the new company as excellent news: "I think it is an imaginative decision which will achieve considerable impact. But it is important that it should have the support of Yorkshire Forward and English Partnerships. It could bring inward investment and help Bradford to realise its potential."

l City centre workers have asked the council to second them rather than transfer staff to the new company. The council's Labour group is also backing secondment as the council starts official consultation with unions.

The new company, expected to start in April, will decide which city centre services it wants to take over, but is highly likely to begin with car parking.