A new family-run department store which will open in Bradford this week is expected to breathe new life into the city centre.

Boyes has invested more than £500,000 in refurbishing the former Christopher Pratts store in North Parade. It will open the 30,000 sq ft outlet on Friday.

The store will sell a huge variety of goods including clothing, toiletries, food, DIY items, gifts, materials and bedding, and will be the biggest in the group's 26-strong chain.

The family-run company, which is based in Scarborough has been established for more than 120 years, has taken on 40 full- and part-time staff to work in Bradford.

Today company director Ernie Gee, pictured, said he was confident the store would prove a hit with Bradford people and help rejuvenate the city.

His comments were supported by Jeff Frankel, of the Bradford Retail Action Group, who said he was "absolutely delighted" by Boyes' arrival in the city.

"I know that the store is going to need to attract a lot of people through the doors and hopefully it will increase the customer flow at the top end of town," he said. "This is the type of outlet that will draw people into Bradford."

The firm has transformed the former Pratts store, which controversially quit Bradford for a new base in Leeds, with workmen on site since April. As the work went on, Boyes opened a small section of the store to sell a sample of its products.

"We are all very excited by the new venture," said Mr Gee. "A lot of Bradford people know our store from their holidays in places like Scarborough and Bridlington. We have wanted to move into West Yorkshire for some time.

"There's still a very strong demand from the public who might have problems with transport or enjoy the variety that there is in a city-centre shopping environment. We don't want to see town centres that fade away, we want to inject them with new impetus."

The hairdressers, cafe and beauty salon which were previously housed in the building have been retained in the new development.

Oastler Coffee Rooms owner Janet Dodd, who has worked there for 28 years, will perform the official opening at 9am on Friday with dignitaries and store manager Chris Golder. She said: "We are very pleased the new store's opening. It is just what is needed in Bradford."