Bradford's first speculative multi-million pound office complex is standing empty in the city centre - more than two months after completion.

It is also three years since its former developers 3D said they were working on amendments to the building for an unnamed tenant, who never materialised.

But today agents marketing the block said they were not concerned - although the £9 million Aldermanbury block was still on the market for tenants. Simon Dixon, of Eddison Com-mercial, said there was serious interest both at home and abroad for the flagship building, which was ideal for uses including call centres.

Mr Dixon said they could let the building almost immediately on short leases. "But we are looking for quality tenants at the right rent. We are not concerned about the situation."

York-based Huntington's - developers of the prestige building which could house 700 workers - said at the June opening that they expected it to be occupied by this month.

Today Bradford Chamber of Commerce said the high quality office was good for Bradford, but in the current economy companies were sitting tight.

However, the leader of Bradford Council's Tory group, Councillor Margaret Eaton said it was a matter for concern.

"I think Bradford Council talks better than it actually does," she said. "There is a ruthless professionalism in Leeds and Wakefield over investment.

"I wouldn't say Bradford Council is a very good organisation to deal with. The council doesn't make it happen."

The leader of the Council's Liberal Democrat group, Councillor Jeanette Sunderland, said: "The council has got the ball rolling in the city centre but it needs to work harder."

But the chairman of the council's regeneration committee, Councillor Dave Green, said the remarks of the minority groups were "opposition for opposition's sake".

"This issue isn't one for the Council directly although the Council is working very closely with the agents and developers to ensure it is let."

An English Partnerships spokesman said it was also happy with the progress of the Aldermanbury project.

She said: "The Aldermanbury was only completed at the end of June. We are aware the developer's agents have had an encouraging level of interest in the scheme."

Hugh Ball, director of Huntingtons, said they had always anticipated it would take about six months to let the office complex.

"We want to get it let as soon as possible and are heartened by the number of very serious inquiries we have received.

He said they were highly impressed by the Council's efforts.

Troubled history of showpiece block

The prestige office complex was originally part of a £200 million scheme, including leisure and shopping for the West End of the city.

The office block was to have been the first phase but the developers, 3D, pulled out after building only the office foundations. 3D said work had stopped in order for discussions on the needs of an unnamed tenant.

Huntington's later took over and were granted planning permission for a scaled-down scheme. The Council cautiously welcomed the new scheme, but agreed they would only allow the developers to acquire the land when the complex was completed.

The office project was also backed by English Partnerships, the Government's regeneration body, which gave a £3 million grant, even though the complex was not prelet.

When the work on the block resumed last year the developers said they had a "major potential tenant".

Mr Dixon said in February this year that the block had attracted interest from 30 serious prospective tenants.

He said a number of big institutions were interested in setting up call centres in Bradford.

T&A Opinion

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