A new £1.3 million cafe has been hailed as a sign of growing business confidence in Bradford.

Up to 50 new jobs will be created when the 700 capacity 90-seat Chicago Rock Caf opens on June 11 in Great Horton Road near the Alhambra Theatre.

It is the latest in a string of new and refurbished venues which have opened recently in the booming student area of the city, including the Blob Shop, the Freestyle and Firkin, Queen's Hall and the Shearbridge. Other new pubs due to open soon include a Hogshead outlet and the Varsity Bar, both in Great Horton Road.

Kaushik Mistry, the company's senior manager for the north, said: "We are not trying to attract people who are usually out. There are a lot of people who are not out in Bradford because there is nowhere to go. Where would you take someone for a 30th birthday? Where do you go for a party in Bradford? Everyone who works in the town doesn't go out in the evenings because, at the moment, it's rubbish. We aim to entertain from the moment you walk in."

The American-themed venue, which will be open until 1am, will serve meals, drinks and positively encourage dancing on the tables. It will be one of 30 Chicago Rock Cafes in the country.

There will be video screens, magicians and entertainers on hand and an outside terrace as well as lunchtime offers for business trade.

David Haigh of Bradford Inner City Licensees Association welcomed the investment but said there were plenty of pubs for thirty-somethings.

Abbey National secretary Jackie Gilbraith, 41, who organises many nights out for the 1,000-strong staff said: "The general complaint is: 'Where do you go?' As far as organising events for a social night out, it sounds pretty good. I will certainly give it a try."

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