A national pub chain will create 25 jobs when it opens a £1.2 million development in the heart of Bradford next Tuesday.

The new Yates's Wine Lodge in Queensgate can cater for a maximum of 520 people and will replace the existing lodge in nearby Ivegate which closes on the same day.

But the new pub's manager, 32-year-old Chris Gimson, said the old Yates's would be retained by the company.

It will be converted into an Addisons bar at a cost of a further £500,000, he said. It will remain part of the Yates's Wine Lodge group and all the staff are expected to keep their jobs.

Mr Gimson said: "Bradford will be one of only two cities in the United Kingdom with three Yates's businesses - that is a Blob Shop, a Yates's Wine Lodge, and an Addisons. The other is Blackpool.

"We realise that at the moment the West End of town is the busier end of town. But the company believes as there are a number of developments in the pipeline this area will become the main circuit of the city again."

To pull in the punters the lodge will trial a giant TV screen for three months and stage various drink promotions.

But Mr Gimson stressed door staff would ensure only the right clientele were allowed in during football match days.

He added the pub would also offer food during the day to attract office workers and continue serving well into the evening.

He said: "This pub brings Bradford into line with the company's latest makeover for its Yates's Wine Lodges throughout the country.

"We had to move from the old lodge because it just wasn't going to be big enough for the modernisation.

"In the day time we hope to attract the business clientele but in the evenings it will be very lively, the lights will go down and it will be party, party, party."

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