AN international pizza giant has revealed plans to move into a former building society unit in Bingley.

Papa Johns could be opening its second branch in the Bradford District if its new plans to move into the Yorkshire Building Society unit on Bingley Main Street area approved.

The company says the business could create up to 25 jobs and "improve the vitality" of the town centre.

Bradford based Yorkshire Building Society announced in 2017 that it would be closing a number of branches, including its Bingley branch which had only opened five years prior.

Since it shut its doors the prominent unit, at the junction with Ferncliffe Road and attached to the Five Rise Shopping Centre and library, has remained empty.

A new application to Bradford Council calls for the unit to become a hot food take away run by the American pizza chain.

The application says: "The unit has been vacant for some time and therefore the occupation would improve the vitality and viability of this part of the town centre.

"The proposed development would also involve minor works to the front of the building, e.g. repainting which would have a positive impact on the building itself and wider area."

'Well known national retailer' could be moving to empty unit in Bingley

Referring to the possible traffic impact of a take away on a busy town centre road, the report says: "As the majority of orders are for home delivery and in view of the peak business hours, it is not expected that the proposed change of use would have an adverse impact on the operation of the local road network or on highway safety."

Founded in Indiana in 1984, Papa John's now has branches in 40 countries.

The company will hope that its application is more successful than its bid to open a unit in Queensbury.

Last year the company submitted an application to open a take away in a vacant unit off Brighouse Road in Queensbury.

Bradford Council refused the application, saying it went against its policy on banning take aways from opening within 400m of a school park or youth facility - unless the unit lies within a town. village or city centre.

The Council said the unit, in Queensbury Court, was not in the centre of Queensbury, and was within 400m of Littlemoor Park and Queensbury Pool.

The company lodged an appeal against the plan, but a Government planning inspector backed the Council's decision.

Papa John's appeal to open take away in Queensbury is dismissed

The application for the Bingley branch argues that there is no question that the unit lies in the town centre, meaning it would be exempt from the take away policy.

A decision on the application is expected late next month.