Bradford is set to receive a double jobs boost after two national chains announced opening dates for new stores in the city.

Virgin Media is set to unveil a brand new shop in central Bradford, while Tesco has revealed more details about the convenience store it is building on the outskirts of the city.

The new Tesco Express, which is under construction in Manningham Lane, opposite the Valley Parade football ground, will bring about 20 jobs to the area.

The 330 sq m store, which has a provisional opening date of October 13, is being built on a site once occupied by a filling station.

A Tesco spokesman said: “We have a team at Tesco whose job it is to research where there are opportunities in the market for additional convenience stores.

“What a lot of people don’t know about Express stores is that the majority of trade comes from within 500 metres.

“They are very much local top-up stores that help local people avoid going to the supermarket as often.”

Meanwhile, Virgin Media is set to unveil a brand new store at 38-40 Kirkgate, in Bradford city centre.

A David Beckham lookalike will officially launch the store and will be entertaining the crowds with some football trickery between noon and 2pm on Saturday, July 24.

The company, which provides broadband, televisions, telephones and mobile phones, is inviting people to attend the opening and help celebrate the launch of its Bradford store.

Staff will be on hand to offer in-store demonstrations and advice on the packages offered by the company.

As well as bringing five or six new jobs to the city’s retail sector, the store will fill one of the city’s many empty shop units.

Peter Toddeo, executive director of sales at Virgin Media, said: “The store has been designed to give customers the chance to try before they buy so they can get a great idea of the quality and range Virgin Media has to offer.”