The news that two big name shopping chains and a vet’s surgery will soon be moving to Keighley Retail Park has been hailed as evidence businesses still have faith in the town.

The retail park, off Hard Ings Road, has suffered several major blows over the past 12 months, with the closure of three of its eight retailers. Comet, furniture store Dreams and JJB Sports all closed following the companies going into administration.

The closures left Halfords as the only store in a row of four on the roundabout side that was still trading.

The Pets At Home store opens in the former Comet building on June 28 and will include an on site Companion Care veterinary surgery while TK Maxx hope to open its Keighley store in the former JJB Sports store in the autumn.

Neither of the shop chains have finalised how many jobs they will create, but the Companion Care surgery will have seven employees.

TK Maxx has more than 250 stores in the UK. its nearest branch to Keighley is Forster Square Retail Park in Bradford.

Plans for the Pets at Home store and vets were announced in February.

Councillor Khadim Hussain (Lab, Keighley Central), who is also Lord Mayor of Bradford, said: “In the current climate we couldn’t get better news. You don’t want empty shops for any time period.

“There are already big names in Keighley, and this news shows how much potential there is for Keighley and Bradford. It is nice to get these big units filled up so soon. It shows the town has a lot to offer.”

Coun Susan Hinchcliffe, Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for employment, said: “I’m really pleased that these two brands, both new to the town, are coming to Keighley and taking two vacant units.”

Last week Asda announced it still planned to build two new “bulky goods” stores at an empty site next to its Keighley shop.