A company boss is urging Bradford Council planners to decide on rival supermarket plans in Shipley as soon as possible so the future of his business can be clarified.

Tim Considine, joint managing director of the Cardinal shop fitting business, which wants to redevelop its Salts Mill Road site to enable it to relocate to smaller premises, said the longer a decision is delayed, the more uncertain is the future for the business as trading conditions worsen.

“We want the planners to reach a decision as soon as possible so that we know where we stand. If anything, the marketplace has got worse during 2013 so it’s even more vital that we are able to cut costs and improve efficiency to secure the business,” he said.

A planning application for the Cardinal site was submitted by Elland-based Commercial Development Projects in January but has been delayed by highways and access issues. The original plans were amended following feedback from residents, including improvements to the entrance area.

CDP believes the supermarket plan will have benefits for Shipley and the local area.

James Marshall, from Commercial Development Projects, said: “When compared to other proposed development sites in Shipley, we feel that the Cardinal site has many advantages. Not only is it a good location for a supermarket, the redevelopment will also allow Cardinal to rationalise its operations and improve their working environment. We understand that links to the town centre are important and we are actively looking at this with the Council.”

Following the Cardinal proposal, plans for a rival scheme were out forward by GMI Developments which submitted a planning application for an 80,000 sq ft food store on the site of Crossley Evans scrapyard alongside the railway off Otley Road.

Mr Considine said moves to find another site locally could not proceed until a decision on the Cardinal site application had been made. The firm occupies about 175,000 sq ft but needs only about half that space. A move would save thousands in rent and rates and also cut energy bills to help safeguard the 150 jobs at the company.

He added: “Faced with ever increasing maintenance costs and growing pressure from cheaper Far East imports, we need to look to consolidate in order to secure the future of the business. The significance of these plans cannot be understated as we look to improve our operations to make us leaner and more competitive for the very challenging market we are in. We are very keen for a swift conclusion on the planning process so we can plan the future of the business.”