A MAJOR scheme to transform a landmark Keighley building is still on track, developers have vowed.

The removal of scaffolding from the former Victoria Hotel premises had sparked fears in the town that the £1m-plus project was floundering.

But Worth Valley Developments, which is behind the conversion of the prime site into ground-floor business units and apartments above, says work has been continuing "behind the scenes" – with the aim of completion by this summer.

Rob Leighton, for the developer, says: "People have seen that the scaffolding has come down and have been saying there is no work being carried out on the property, but that is incorrect.

"We have been doing a lot of work behind the scenes in one of our workshops getting ready for the start of this year, when we will be back on site to progress further and hopefully be completed by the summer."

Work began in early 2021 on restoring the long-empty building, at the corner of Cavendish Street and East Parade.

Unforeseen structural issues uncovered when the renovations began meant a revised timescale and additional costs.

Problems discovered included corroded steels hidden underneath floorboards, rotten floor joists caked in layers of concrete and issues with a recent new roof. Some structural insecurity at the back of the building was also identified.

But Mr Leighton pledged that Worth Valley Developments was "determined to do this amazing property justice".

Tenants of the new commercial units will include Grind and Groove Records, Bec Severs – of Three Little Birds Bakery – and a bar.

A number of the flats on the first and second floors will be holiday lets, and to promote the area to visitors a video – Welcome to Keighley ­— was shot, showcasing attractions in the town and across the surrounding area.

During its heyday, the ten-bedroom Victoria Hotel was hugely popular with visitors to the town.

The present premises are believed to have been built by a Mr Horner, who was born at East Morton in around 1838. The veterinary surgeon – who had a practice at Shipley – died on January 30, 1900, after falling off his horse.

Prior to conversion work starting, the building had been disused for a number of years and there were countless calls for action as its condition continued to deteriorate.

Various proposals were put forward, but never came to anything.