The feel-good factor already evident in Bradford was a major feature of the year fellow football club Barnsley enjoyed in the top flight of English football.

The South Yorkshire club was promoted to the Premiership for the first time two years ago - and the national spotlight turned on to the town, much as already has on Bradford after City's triumph on Sunday.

Town centre business coordinator for Barnsley David Longley said: "We knew every single game in the Premiership we were going to have 19,000 people coming into town. That's a fact traders can count on.

"I believe that because Barnsley were mentioned in the Premiership results - often first because alphabetically they're near the top, as Bradford are - it raises the profile of the town throughout the country.

"When we were promoted, it boosted the morale of everyone in the town, which of course benefits business. The buzz in the town centre was very positive," he said.

Barnsley were relegated into Division One after one season.

"You can't evaluate the feel-good factor - and we would love to be back in the Premiership and in Bradford's position now," said Mr Longley.

John Pennington, the Bradford businessman who renovated the Pennington Midland Hotel and who is now doing the same with Maestro's nightclub in Manningham Lane, said: "This will bring people into Bradford who would never have dreamt of coming here otherwise. It's a win, win, win situation."

Council leader Councillor Ian Greenwood said: "You couldn't spend £50 million and get the upturn and optimism that this has brought to Bradford.

"Some people don't understand the impact on the district which a success like this triggers. Simply in terms of the mentions in the Press and the many people from outside, who come to these major fixtures, there is immense value in terms of the economy."

Richard Mill, of the celebrated curry restaurant Nawaab in Manor Row, said: "We certainly see City being in the Premiership as a long-term advantage, fans have to walk right past us on the way back to the stations," Mr Mill said. The number of visiting supporters would rise and many would want to sample the Asian cuisine that Bradford is well known for.

Charles Forgan, chief executive of Bradford Breakthrough which represents the district's major businesses, said: "We will be asking Geoffrey Richmond to visit us and talk to our members about possible economic benefits related to the team's promotion to the Premier League."

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