The £50 million Plaza is one of the few major redevelopment schemes in Yorkshire that has survived the economic downturn.

David Brimblecombe, managing director of the Gregory Group, said: "We are confident we can deliver this scheme and will be ready to make a start in late September or early October."

Work has finished clearing the old Netto store, where a 100-bed Premier Inn hotel will be built, and plans are well advanced for providing temporary alternative parking.

"We have the anchor tenant, the multi-screen cinema operator Vue, and we are talking to someone who wants to buy the entire Plaza when it is complete," said Mr Brimblecombe.

"We have put a lot of time and money into this project and despite the complexities we are confident things are going to happen." Other projects across Yorkshire have not fared so well.

A £200 million scheme to revitalise Huddersfield town centre has been put on hold, as has Bradford's £320 million Broadway shopping centre.

Work on Wakefield's £210m Trinity Walk development has also been suspended after bankers refused further finance.

Mr Brimblecome said he could understand people being sceptical about the Halifax development but as far as he was concerned, it was still "all systems go."

The scheme is expected to incorporate new offices and a library for Calderdale Council, a bingo hall and bowling alley, which operators say are commercially viable.

National car park operator APCOA will manage the 430 multi-storey parking spaces.

There will also be restaurants and shops on the site, which is directly opposite the town hall and bus station.

In association with the Broad Street scheme, plans are pending to create dozens of temporary parking spaces on the site of the former Working Horse Museum, at South Parade, Halifax.

The council's regeneration and development spokewoman, Amanda Byrne (Con, Sowerby Bridge) said: "I'm very happy that the development is proceeding according to schedule and the prospects are exciting for Halifax.

"Our town has very particular needs and we have worked with the developer to meet them with a mixed retail and leisure complex, making it a robust and exciting proposition."

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