Co-op bosses have yet to tie up a deal with Craven District Council over the sale of land to upgrade its Cross Hills store.

Councillors will meet tomorrow to discuss selling the land - just five days before workmen are due to start on site. But Co-op chiefs are confident things will go according to plan.

The firm is spending £2 million on upgrading and extending the Main Street store.

The Co-op needs 250 square metres of land owned by Craven District Council, the sale of which has still not been finalised.

The Council's property manager Michael Birdsall said he would be presenting a report to members of the policy and resources committee informing them an agreement had been reached over the land and urging them to back it.

"This is the last part of the jigsaw," he said. "We have been in negotiations and have agreed a suitable concession. I will be reporting to committee and seeking members' agreement to go forward with the deal."

The new Co-op development will increase the number of car parking spaces from 50 to 70 - though Craven District Council will only own 43 spaces, losing seven.

Yorkshire Co-operative's chief executive designate, Peter Marks, said he did not expect any delays in building the store.

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