It is good news for the centre of Bradford that the Cheltenham and Gloucester Building Society is moving into the premises in the Wool Exchange which became vacant when Bryars home-furnishings shop closed last year.

Even better news, of course, would have been that another quality retailer had taken over the site. As Jeff Frankel, chairman of the Bradford Retail Action Group, rightly points out, this is in a prime retail area of the city centre. Bradford is in serious need of upmarket shops, with a recent survey revealing that one in four premises are empty.

However, it is also a prime commercial area, with many other banks and building societies nearby in Hustlergate, Bank Street and Kirkgate. So it is, in fact, an apt and dignified use of the vacant space in this splendid location.

It was surprising and disappointing that it remained empty for so long, adorned with "Closing down" posters. It is not good for any city to have such prominent and prestigious premises standing vacant in its very heart for such a long time.

Let's hope that the transfer by the Cheltenham and Gloucester branch from its present home in Manor Row can persuade other businesses to move into the still-vacant spaces nearby - particularly the premises in the basement of the Wool Exchange formerly occupied by the Pierre Victoire restaurant which are still awaiting a new occupant, and the three-storey section of the former Rackhams store in Market Street which is once again vacant following the closure of the Lostboys budget-clothing business.