Bradford was celebrating a double boost today as it was announced that the multi million pound Aldermanbury office block had a tenant at last - bringing a hundred jobs to the city.

Tour operators Sunworld will move from their offices in Rawdon and Pudsey into the £9 million complex which has been empty since it was built seven months ago.

It was described as a "pinnacle of modern design" by Lord Mayor Tony Miller when he officially opened it. But it became a white elephant, even though it attracted national interest.

Today the chairman of the Council's regeneration committee Councillor Dave Green said they were "highly delighted" both by the jobs boost and the decision to relocate to Aldermanbury.

He said: "It is bound to help our efforts to regenerate the city."

Letting agent Simon Dixon, of Eddison Commercial, said: "It would be fantastic news for Bradford and the biggest speculative office letting for very many years."

During the next six months, staff at travel businesses offices in Rawdon and Pudsey will be transferred to the 66,000 square ft property along with more than 200 staff from Bolton.

Sunworld will keep its Pudsey office for specialist IT functions and as a contingency location and will close its Rawdon operation. The jobs boost an announcement this week from the European Commission, which has approved the merger of parent company Thomas Cook's UK travel interests with those of the Carlson Leisure Group.

A spokesman for the company said that more than a hundred jobs would be created over the next 18 months as the company increased its UK operations to handle business growth from the merger and the transfer of functions from its Bolton site.

Simon Vincent, Sunworld managing director, said: "We have been looking for seven months for a suitable base where we can consolidate all of our northern sites.

"The Bradford site is perfect for our needs, providing the space for future growth and with the benefit of excellent public transport services."

The job boost follows the decision by Thomas Cook in January to introduce new flights from Leeds-Bradford Inter-national Airport as part of an increased flying programme from regional airports.

The merger between Cook and the Carlson Leisure Group has created one of Britain's biggest travel companies

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