BRADFORD'S new multi-million pound shopping centre is set to be expanded to include a cinema, bars and cafe, under new plans announced today.

Parts of Broadway, which is next to the under-construction retail site, could be transformed into a six-screen boutique cinema, with a dining and leisure development below, creating more than 100 jobs.

Owner Meyer Bergman, advised by developer Westfield, has revealed proposals for 14-20 Broadway, which would recreate one of its former uses as a picture house.

Its shop units are now mainly empty, but HMV is still open and Meyer Bergman is in discussions about its potential relocation.

Bradford Council leader David Green welcomed the announcement.

"I think that Bradford city centre has been identified as having the capacity for an additional cinema outlet and the link with the wider Broadway development means we could potentially get more bang for our buck," he said.

"Having seen the potential size of the cinema, it could cater for a niche market, and not necessarily compete with the larger auditoriums we already have."

He said more details needed to be seen, but added: "What the project does show is an ongoing commitment to investment in Bradford and this is another good proposition for the city that could provide another top-quality facility."

Bradford City of Film director David Wilson said the plans conjured up childhood memories of visiting the ABC cinema on Broadway, which was later taken over by Cannon before its eventual closure in the late 1980s.

"There has been speculation for a while about cinema provision in Broadway and the competition is healthy for the film offer in Bradford," he said.

"If the predicted numbers of extra people coming into the city because of the Broadway development are correct, then hopefully the marketplace can support an extra cinema in the city centre.

"The plans seem to have the potential to offer something slightly different to the current provision and, as a City of Film, we want to work with cinema providers to present the best possible choice for residents and visitors."

The chief executive of the lobbying group Bradford Breakthrough, which campaigns for the city's regeneration, Colin Philpott, added: "It is vital we do everything possible to make the city centre more attractive to people, particularly to boost a night-time economy, and cinemas are an important part of that offer."

The secretary of the Bradford Chamber of Trade Val Summerscales said she supported the project in principle.

"Obviously anything that brings more people into the city centre is a good thing, but we wouldn't want HMV as an existing business to be displaced," she said.

"We'd be supportive of any complementary project that helps link the Westfield site with other areas of the city centre."

The Broadway shopping centre, which is expected to create about 2,500 jobs, is set to open in the autumn.

Almost 70 per cent of the £260 million centre’s units have now been filled, with names including Debenhams, Next, H&M and Marks & Spencer.

Principal at Meyer Bergman’s George Walsh-Waring said the company was delighted to announce its plans for further investment in Bradford.

"We feel this will be great for the city, providing more dining and leisure choice and we’re eager to hear what the people of Bradford think.

"I’d encourage everyone living and working in the area to pop into our exhibition on Saturday, where they’ll be able to have a look at the proposals and leave any feedback they have."

In January, plans for an independent cinema on Bradford's North Parade - The Working Title Cinema - were put on hold after the project developer and building owner failed to reach an agreement.

* Plans for the the Broadway extension will be on public display at Forster’s Bistro in City Park on Saturday from 10am until 4pm.