Bradford could have a new 100,000 sq ft department store to revitalise the city centre.

Developers are hoping to demolish buildings at the bottom end of the city -- and replace them with shopping malls and public squares.

They are in detailed negotiations with the as yet unnamed department store.

The Forster Square Partnership says it expects to make an announcement before Christmas on the three-floor superstore with a major tenant.

Richard Weatherhead, of Knottingley-based Caddick Construction, a leading member of the consortium, said car parking for the scheme had also been increased by 600 to 1,600.

He added that they were now working on a £20 million project for the diversion of services and re-routing of Bradford Beck, which runs through the site.

A new city-centre traffic scheme is also being set up which includes the closure of Petergate and Cheapside.

The consortium says it also hopes to announce major potential tenants for the planned £200 million development before the end of the year.

Councillors will be asked tomorrow to approve minor boundary changes so the development can go ahead.

And a report to the executive committee recommends compulsory-purchase orders be issued if necessary for the Broadway area.

Executive member for the environment Councillor Anne Hawkesworth said: "The plan is to demolish all the early-1960s buildings within the area to make way for the complex.

"It will include a covered shopping centre with multi-screen cinema, caf and restaurants.

"The scheme will dramatically change the face of this key area of the city centre.

"I'm sure there are a lot of people who can't wait to see some of the 1960s buildings disappear, especially when they will be replaced by a top-quality modern complex."

The council says it will shortly be contacting people who would be affected by the scheme with full information.