A NEW Co-op convenience store is set to open in the Bradford district next year, the company has announced.

Building work, which began last summer, is continuing on a new Co-op store on Bingley Road in Saltaire.

The brickwork on the outside and the roof has been completed on the new store, with work yet to start on the inside of the site.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: An artist's impression of what the new Co-op in Saltaire may look like An artist's impression of what the new Co-op in Saltaire may look like (Image: Co-op)

The firm said work is progressing to create a new, purpose-built, Co-op store to serve Saltaire.

It's moving from it's current premises, further up Bingley Road, into the newly-built store.

The new store will have a 265sqm sales area and a 125sqm ‘back of house' area, plus parking spaces for 14 cars and eight bicycles.

A Co-op spokesman confirmed the developer is working on the site, which is expected to open in the spring.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Work began on the site of a new Co-op in Saltaire earlier this year Work began on the site of a new Co-op in Saltaire earlier this year (Image: Newsquest)

He said: “We expect the store to be ready to launch in spring, although this is always subject to the works being completed in that time frame by the developer.

“Co-op will fit out the new purpose-built store once completed. Co-op will lease the store from the developer.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to develop a purpose-built new store to serve the community.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Another artist's impression of what the new store may look likeAnother artist's impression of what the new store may look like (Image: Co-op)

“Our aim is always to operate at the heart of local life and we are excited at the thought of welcoming members and customers into their purpose-built new Co-op.”

A Co-op spokesman added the new Saltaire store will include a focus on fresh, healthy products, and everyday essentials.

Plans for the new store were approved by Bradford Council on the site of a car wash, which shut earlier this year.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The existing Co-op store on Bingley Road, Saltaire, will shut once the new site opens next yearThe existing Co-op store on Bingley Road, Saltaire, will shut once the new site opens next year (Image: Newsquest)

Demolition work to knock down Qasim’s Hand Car Wash building was completed in the spring.

Planning permission for the new Co-op store was granted by Bradford Council in September last year. It was submitted by Eco Developments (Yorkshire).

Before it was approved, the proposal received a number of objections from residents and groups.

These included Shipley Town Council, which submitted its objection in May last year. It claimed the store would undermine other Saltaire businesses and said it would encourage car travel in an already busy area.

Another firm has previously attempted to build a store on the same site.

In 2016 Sainsbury's was granted permission to build a convenience store, but the development never went ahead.

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