Bradford's prestigious Aldermanbury office block could be used for the booming telephone calls centre business.

The £9 million development, due to open in May, is set to have high-quality wine bars and restaurants on its lower floors.

Construction of the five-storey building, towering over the corner of Godwin Street and Sun-bridge Road, is almost complete.

Eddison Commercial, which is marketing the block, says there have been more than 30 serious inquiries from prospective tenants.

Today, the chairman of the Council's regeneration committee, Councillor Dave Green, said the mixed use could be a big boost to the city centre making it more vibrant and, at the same time, bringing jobs.

More than 90 per cent of the natural sandstone on the outside of the building and the roof sheeting and windows are scheduled to be finished by the middle of this month.

The development, which has received a £3 million contribution from regeneration body English Partnerships, will include a major futuristic sculpture.

The £100,000 art feature has been created by award-winning Norfolk sculptor Keith McCarter.

Eddisons Commercial adviser Simon Dixon said the block was attracting major interest from the call centre market.

He revealed a number of big institutions were considering setting up in Bradford.

York-based developers Hunt-ington Ltd appointed Leeds-based award-winning architects Crawford Wybor to design the scheme.

A paved terrace has been designed for the use of the first floor and the fourth and fifth floors have their own favourite balcony.

English Partnerships regional director Paul Barber said: "We are delighted to be involved with the Aldermanbury project because it is exciting new schemes like this that are really beginning to put Bradford on the map."

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