Shrubs are growing from the gutters of Bradford's listed buildings at a time when its image is crucial, businesses were told at a top level seminar.

And the city lacked the vision and confidence to defend itself locally, let alone regionally, it was said at the meeting about the private partnership company expected to be set up to manage the city centre.

The meeting at the Midland Hotel was the final stage of public consultation before the company is formed. Businesses, police and organisations were told that, despite its potential, Bradford was not attracting enough shoppers from its own area, and few from beyond.

Assistant Director of Regeneration Richard Willoughby said: "Bradford is a top ten city in population but lacks the vision and the confidence to defend its position locally, let along regionally."

Mr Willoughby said the district had the great asset of 5,800 listed buildings but many were neglected and had low rent users. "Despite new development, confidence remains low, compared with other cities in the region."

Martin Van Zeller, the Council's Regeneration Policy Co-ordinator, said Bradford's heritage was superior to Leeds and the city had great potential. But the partnership company would have to be absolutely single-minded about its remits to put Bradford in the premier league.

Chief Superintendent Dave Richardson, of Bradford central police, asked what part the media would play.

Regeneration executive member, Councillor Simon Cooke, said: "In general marketing terms, the Council has been lousy in terms of promoting itself. In the past it has kept saying how dreadful we are and we need help. We have to talk about what's good in Bradford rather than raise riot. But it doesn't happen overnight."

The Council came under fire from Terry Patten, branch secretary of the GMB. He asked: "What makes a load of amateurs better than council workers? You take up these potty ideas and the workforce suffer."

He said council workers taken over by a private company in Coventry were working 12-hour shifts operating closed circuit television and earning £3.50 an hour.

Coun Cooke said he hoped there would be a better trained workforce with better pay.