Millionaire businessman John Pennington is bidding to breathe new life into the massive Lister's Mill.

The brains behind the revamp of Bradford's Midland Hotel hopes to bring in businesses to turn it into the jewel in the crown of Manningham - at a cost of £30 million.

If successful, the revamped south wing of the mill could house businesses, shops and homes.

And Haddow, the firm which saved troubled Lister's Fabrics and took over the adjoining north mill last year, is about to submit a separate planning application which could lead to even more businesses moving in.

If both projects succeed hundreds of jobs would be brought to Manning-ham.

Mr Pennington is a key member of a charitable trust battling to get the historic building used again.

The trust has submitted an application and business plan to the regional development agency Yorkshire Forward in the hope of obtaining grants worth between £3 and £4 million to buy, repair and restore the landmark.

The mill would then be redeveloped by companies wanting to move in.

Bradford Council would receive the funds and act as an umbrella organisation overseeing redevelopment.

Mr Pennington - who restored the city's magnificent Midland Hotel and then sold it for an estimated £4 million - says companies which are household names are already interested in the plan.

Don Stewart, director of Yorkshire Forward with responsibility for West Yorkshire, said: "We are talking to Mr Pennington, the Council and trust and we are collectively trying to find a sensible way of moving things forward."

The derelict building is currently owned by Leeds-based administrators Ernst Young.

The south mill, with its towering 250-foot chimney, has been badly vandalised and is open to the elements.

But though the building was placed on an 'at risk' register of listed buildings by English Heritage two years ago, its structure is still sound.

Mr Pennington said today: "The ironic thing is that millions of pounds are being spent on the regeneration of Manningham park, following its Heritage Lottery win.

"That scheme will not generate employment, but there are jobs for the community in the redevelopment of the south mill. I am extremely optimistic and a number of big companies are interested."

The separate proposals for the north mill would include some demolition to open up space for business units.

Haddow chief executive Giles Overend said the firm hoped to demolish between 2,500 and 15,000 square feet of derelict space.

In 1998 Haddow took over Lister Fabrics when it went into receivership, and kept the textile company's famous name.

The Council's chief executive Ian Stewart said: "We will do everything we can to help redevelopment plans."

Administrator Hunter Kelly, who is now handling the sale of the south mill, said: "A number of people are interested in the building. Some are curious and some have gone away to look at feasibility studies."

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