The novel design of the National Millennium Faith Experience's top floor restaurant will rival some of London's best eating houses, it was claimed today.

The Spices restaurant, incorporating a cookery school, will be an integral part of the visitor centre which will tell the story of Bradford, its faiths and its people.

Now the board of St Peter's House has appointed a new managing director, Tim Chillman, who has worked for breweries, food firms and restaurants for most of his career.

As the first of the steel started to go in linking the building to Bradford Cathedral, he was full of enthusiasm for what the centre will bring to Bradford when it opens in Easter 2000.

He said: "There are many operators in London who would be envious of the design of the new restaurant.

"There will be nothing like it with its post modern, minimalist design with sweeping terraces, a metal roof, wooden floors and glass walls over-looking the cathedral which will be floodlit at night."

He added: "It will be for everyone - not just those with large bank accounts. It's a restaurant for the community."

Typical evening meals will cost £12 for three courses, made with fresh ingredients by a top chef. It will also be open for lunch time business, morning coffee and afternoon teas, serving local visitors, tourists, shoppers and those receiving tuition in Bradford Council's ground-floor training centre.

Mr Chillman, 51, has worked in all aspects of project management. He has designed and opened more than 20 new projects for a range of national and international clients.

He has also worked as a mystery customer in the past for breweries which were introducing food into pubs for the first time.

Plans showing how St Peter's House will be transformed into the multi-million pound National Millennium Faith Experience can be seen in the window of 8 Petergate.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.