Broadway joy at deal for Barratts

Originally printed in the Telegraph and Argust

Shoe firm is latest to sign for £320m scheme - and it will open by 2010

Bradford-based shoe store Barretts is the latest retailer to sign up to the £320 million Broadway shopping development.

The announcement was made last night as Westfield held its national leasing launch for the city centre project at Bradford's National Media Museum.

The glitzy event, attended by leading retailers and agents, was aimed at showcasing the scheme to a wider audience. Michael Ziff, chairman of Stylo Pic, the parent company of Barratts, said: We're delighted to be part of the new Westfield Bradford. We hope to be trading in the new centre by 2010.

Graham Hardaker, a director of Stylo, who was present at the launch, said the company had to close its store in Bradford several years ago. This schemee gives us a chance to come back to Bradford, which we are excited about, he said.

Speaking at last night's launch, David Slade, leasing director for Westfield, said: If we can lease this shopping centre, we will build it and I am quite confident we can do that. We are targetting an opening of 2010.

Barratts have their head office here in Bradford and it is very fitting to announce their signing while we're launching our leasing campaign in the city.

One of the many businessmen to be invited to the launch was Peter Basir, from the Zouk Tea Bar and Grill, on Leeds Road, Bradford.

He said: We are in negotiations right now with a view to having Zouk in the new development. Bradford is reknowned for its Indian Food and it is something that needs to be included in this new development.