A restaurant chain is set to spearhead expansion plans in Shipley after being given the thumbs-up to transform a run-down former car showroom into its new headquarters.

The Aagrah Group of Restaurants is to pump up to £300,000 into turning part of the former Shipley Polar Ford showroom in Saltaire Road, which has been empty for the last two years, into a 150-seater restaurant and offices.

Meanwhile, fans of Asian cuisine may get the chance to cook and enjoy their Aagrah favourites at home if plans to turn the group's 40-seater restaurant in nearby Westgate into a shop selling chilled dishes get the go-ahead.

The new HQ is expected to create more than 20 new jobs with town-centre bosses hailing the move, which has been given planning permission by Bradford Council, as a major shot in the arm for Shipley.

Managing director Mohammed Aslam said the relocation was necessary as the group had outgrown its Pudsey base, adding: "I'm very pleased because we needed bigger kitchens and offices and this will give us the scope to expand the business further and enable us to operate up to 15 restaurants.''

Mr Aslam said it was hoped to start conversion work in July and have the new restaurant open in time for Christmas.

Councillor John Carroll (Con, Shipley West), chairman of the Shipley Town Centre Development Partnership, said: "It's terrific news that they're staying in Shipley and bringing their HQ to the town.

"It will bring jobs here and improve what was a derelict and rather scruffy looking site on one of the main roads into Shipley.''