The regeneration of Bradford has been boosted with the completion of the first phase of a £15m office development.

Work to the outside of Colonial Buildings, in Goitside, has been finished and Landmark Developments is now moving on to the inside of the complex.

The project forms an integral part of the revamp of the city centre area which starts at the Tetley Street and Grattan Road area and takes in the Colour Museum and mill buildings, houses off Chain Street and shops, pubs and offices up Thornton Road.

Richard Morton, Landmark's managing director, said that, once finished, the listed building would provide businesses with high standard accommodation, flexible accommodation and meeting rooms.

Letting agents GVA Grimley and Andrew Idle have already viewed the site and the premises can be fitted out within 12 weeks of completion of an agreement. Mr Morton said: "Presently the serviced office market in Bradford does not offer occupiers as wide a range of choice of high standard accommodation as it could.

"Colonial Buildings will provide a much sought after office location for smaller companies to have a presence in the city centre."

Goitside falls within the Manningham and Girlington Single Regeneration Budget area, where millions of pounds of government money will be spent on the deprived streets. It is already home to a number of established companies, including Yorkshire Co-operative, Provident Financial and solicitors' firm Last Cawthra Feather.

Mike Cartwright, policy executive at the Bradford Chamber of Commerce, said: "This is good news. The potential for the area's development and the good it will bring will cascade well beyond those directly involved.

"It will help reinvigorate Bradford, provide jobs and wealth and improve its image.

"It's a win win situation."