Council leader Peter Box delivered his optimistic message after plans for a £25m expansion of the city's Ridings shopping centre were announced.

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The latest development comes just weeks after the news that the stalled Trinity Walk project is back on track and as work on the flagship
Merchant Gate scheme also gathers pace.

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The district already boasts one of the region's most impressive regeneration schemes at Glasshoughton, Castleford, and a new city centre swimming pool is on the drawing board for the centre of Wakefield.

Speaking to the YEP, Coun Box said: "I think there's a general confidence in the city and the way the district is moving forward.

"We've committed extensively to investing in the city and the district and businesses see that and it creates confidence that they can get a good return on their investment by coming here."

He said the regeneration of the city would be handled sensitively.

He said: "We've also got our cathedral right in the city centre, next to the new Bull Ring – it's about combining the best of what we've got with something modern."

It was revealed this week that owners of the Ridings Shopping Centre, The Moorfield Group, has agreed a deal to buy Express House, the Wakefield Express newspaper offices on Southgate, to make way for a three storey 90,000 sq ft extension to the Ridings.

The Moorfield Group says the extension will be available to new retailers and offer existing shops larger premises.

Mark Holmes of the Moorfield Group said: "With planning permission already granted, this latest announcement marks our commitment to extending The Ridings.

"We are already in discussion with several national retailers who, given the ongoing uncertainty surrounding other regional developments, understand that The Ridings will now be able to offer new, modern and flexible retail space, within a vibrant and long-established shopping location."

The expansion is the latest in a string of big money regeneration schemes.

Merchant Gate is a major regeneration project spanning around 17 acres of vacant land between Westgate rail station and the city centre.

It will include a new multi-storey car park, 66 residential apartments, 47,000 ft of office space and 35,000 sq ft of retail and leisure accommodation.

The scheme at Glasshoughton in Castleford has seen more than 180 new homes built alongside the successful Xscape leisure complex, Junction 32 retail outlet, commercial developments and Wakefield College's new Skills Xchange building.