A business chief today urged Bradford Council to give plans for the district's first Asian shopping centre a kick-start - before other towns and cities latched on to it.

Fazal Hussain, chairman of Bradford's Asian Business Forum and Trades Association of Asian Restaurant Owners, said he thought other towns and cities would cash in on the Council's innovative idea if the proposals were hit by delays.

He spoke out after Bradford Council's regeneration committee decided to go back for further consultation with the community over a scheme.

The committee was told at its meeting last month that companies were interested in four sites for developing schemes including leisure, shopping and offices.

The Council will not comment on the sites but it is understood that one is on land occupied by the Council's transport depot in Shearbridge Road.

Mr Hussain, who owns the Nexus nightclub next to the Council-owned land, said it was big enough for a development like Sheffield's Meadowhall.

Although he is not involved personally in current proposals for the site, he said people from Leeds, Sheffield and the South of England had been in touch with him about proposals.

"There is no better site for a major development. It is off the ring road coming from the M606 and near existing Asian facilities. Bradford needs this centre or it will become a ghost city. It will bring tourists as well as shoppers," he added.

But committee chairman Councillor Dave Green said the Council would not be rushed into a hasty decision.

He said they were not planning a prolonged consultation period. "But we are prepared to take a bit longer to make sure we get this absolutely right."

The move follows a major survey commissioned by Bradford Council which showed people in Bradford spent at least £80 million on Asian food and £135 million on Asian products a year.

Before a decision is taken the Council says it will explore the impact on existing shops.

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