Plans for a major Asian shopping complex in Bradford have already drawn interest from both local and national developers, according to officers.

Bradford Council Regeneration Committee was told last night there was already considerable interest in the scheme, which would put the district on the national shopping map.

Now officers will draw up a shortlist of locations to bring back to the committee in six months' time.

Committee member Councillor Shaukat Ahmed (Lab, University) said: "It could become Yorkshire's multi-cultural shopping centre. It would be good for everyone in Bradford."

Assistant director of regeneration, Richard Willoughby, told the committee a survey by outside consultants DTZ Pieda showed people in Bradford spent at least £80 million a year on Asian food and £135 million on other Asian products.

It said traders and consumers preferred the location to be on the edge of the city centre or a primary arterial route.

But Councillor Margaret Eaton (Con, Bingley Rural) said she believed the locations would be a non-starter if the Government meant what it said about restricting out-of-town shopping centres.

Councillor Tony Cairns (Lab, Tong) said an exhibition of Asian goods in the Arndale Mall last year had drawn widespread interest.

He said he believed a shopping centre would appeal to large numbers of people both in the district and further afield.

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