Plans are being made for a new art gallery in the heart of the city centre.

Bradford Council may set up a partnership to develop a gallery for arts, photography and mixed media in the complex which has been built opposite City Hall and is already home to a Lloyd's No1 pub.

The move comes as work begins on the £300 million Broadway shopping centre just yards away and world class companies vie to win a competition for redevelopment of the prime site of the Odeon Cinema.

The £8 million leisure complex on the site of a former tower block was developed by St James Securities and opened last year.

The company received planning permission amid controversy after a call was made for a bigger, more impressive building opposite Grade One-listed City Hall.

At next week's executive committee meeting, members will consider a plan to lease a 10,000 sq ft first-floor unit in the crescent-shaped development for a gallery.

Members will be told by director of arts, heritage and leisure Jane Glaister that an existing photographic gallery may move in to share the space but there is no estimate yet of the cost.

Miss Glaister said: "A successful city requires a dynamic mix of both retail and cultural activity."

The Council's executive member for regeneration, Councillor Simon Cooke, said: "An art gallery alongside a nationally renowned photographic gallery would add significantly to the cultural profile of Bradford.

"By sharing the space the Council can showcase the district's creative talent and attract significant external funding to enable it to happen."

Head of the service for arts, heritage and leisure Tim Hirst said: "It is something which could be for local or famous artists and the executive will look at the options to develop, manage and resource the gallery. There has already been an approach from an interested party."

The committee will be told by officers the need for space dedicated to art in the city centre was identified as part of the research into the Council's culture strategy in 2001.

They recommend £200,000 should be set aside from the budget allocation to the Department of Arts, Heritage and Leisure which has been earmarked for growth next year.

The Council will look at funding sources including the Millennium Commission's Urban Cultural Programme and the Arts Council.