News that Bradford-based credit firm Provident Financial is to create 250 new call centre jobs is a real shot in the arm for the city centre economy.

And the fact that it comes just a week after news that nearly 200 jobs could be created by The Italian Furniture Company at Lidget Green gives the city a double whammy of confidence.

In many ways, Provident creating these new jobs vindicates Bradford Council’s decision in 2009 to loan £6m to ensure the £45m Southgate complex – which houses the firm’s HQ as well as the Jurys Inn hotel – was completed.

There was some criticism at the time, but without that input the whole scheme may not have been finished. And there is no doubt that the project has been of huge benefit, opening up a very important site in Bradford and greatly improving that part of the city.

The news that there will now be more jobs created there is in many ways the icing on the cake.

But it is important to stress that Provident are not just repaying a favour – the company has made it clear that it believes Bradford has the people to justify this move.

Chief Executive Peter Crook speaks of the ‘rich talent pool’ in the city from which it can now recruit. Hopefully, this latest news will encourage more companies to tap into this talent.

And it will also have a knock-on effect on the city centre, with 250 more people potentially spending money during their lunch breaks and on their way home. That in turn should help to encourage retail growth in the city centre.

The new jobs in themselves don’t mean the city will suddenly be transformed. But the move is one that will undoubtedly help generate more investment, and hopefully begin to create a snowball effect of new confidence in Bradford.