Bradford's historic Yorkshire Penny Bank building in North Parade will bustle with life again in the summer after being turned into a cordon bleu restaurant.

Now the search is on for a top-notch chef to cook high-quality English food.

The building, which was erected in 1895, is an architectural treasure and, like City Hall, is Grade One-listed.

That means its new owners are bound by law to preserve its features, including the imposing stonework and arched windows.

Even the gates to the building, which has been shut for several years, are listed and must be retained.

The 50-seat restaurant will be in the former banking hall, with its ornate ceilings, marble walls and oak panelling. The old counter will become the bar and the former manager's office the women's toilet.

The bank has been bought by property developers Focus Myaster, who have leased it to 375 Sixtyone Managment Ltd.

Commercial director of 375 Sixtyone Dean Loynes, pictured, said: "Bradford is a one-dimension city. We didn't want another wine bar.

"We are due to open in July, but we won't be unless we get the right chef. That is all-important to us.

"We want someone who will see this as their new canvas. We want the individual touch without someone who is experimenting on customers."

He said the safe and vaults in the base of the building would be used for storage.

The Yorkshire Penny Bank was founded in 1859 with the slogan "From One Penny Upwards" to prove it was for rich and poor alike.

Its sponsors included Victorian philanthropist Sir Titus Salt.

The bank was way ahead of its time, pioneerering savings accounts for school children and in 1871 a cheque-book service.

During times of high unemployment it organised a free soup service.