Bradford has taken a major step towards becoming Britain's call centre capital with the announcement of a further 1,500 jobs.

The £20 million scheme in Thornbury will bring the number of proposed new call centre jobs in the city to nearly 3,000. There are already more than 4,000 people employed in Bradford's booming industry.

Leeds councillors yesterday gave the thumbs up in principle to the prestigious scheme by Harrogate-based Gregory Properties on derelict land in Thornbury which is expected to bring more than 1,500 jobs.

The shot in the arm comes as NatWest opens its new call centre on the site of the former Waddington's fat refinery at Filey Street, creating 150 new jobs to add to the 200 people it employed at its centre in Bolton Road.

Mail-order giant Grattan announced in September that it would be creating 350 new call centre jobs when it teams up with Tesco to produce a series of lifestyle catalogues.

And last April it was revealed that Bradford Council was in talks with an international company which wants to create up to 750 jobs in a new call centre over the next five years.

Major call centre operators already in Bradford include Grattan, Abbey National, BT, Yorkshire Water, Yorkshire Cable, British Gas, and Green Flag.

Bradford Council's Call Centre Training Unit, in Neal Street, Bradford, has established itself as a major supplier of telephone workers.

The Council and the district's training and enterprise council predict more than 6,000 people will be employed in Bradford call centres by 2002.

Today Bradford Council leader Councillor Ian Greenwood said: "I am delighted and I think this clearly demonstrates that we are becoming the call centre capital of the country.

"I think we have shown the business world that Bradford people are skilled, experienced and honest and customers like them."

Deputy chairman of Bradford's transportation, planning and design committee Councillor Jack Womersley said: "People in Bradford have the right skills. Our accent is easily understood and Bradfordians are truthful and friendly."

Gregory Properties recently ditched its proposals for a multi million pound leisure centre on the former GEC site off Dick Lane.

Yesterday Leeds Council planning sub-committee gave its support in principle for a prestige call centre and offices on the site.

The developers say the call centre would stand at the top of a tree lined boulevard.

Gregory Properties confirmed to the Telegraph & Argus today that it was working with a major West Yorkshire company but did not want to name it.

The developers also want three drive in diners and a public house/restaurant on the land.

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