WORK has started on bringing Keighley's historic Royal Arcade back to its former glory. Developers are working with local historians as they restore the 101-year-old listed building.

Kingfisher Developments will spend the next three years transforming the complex into an shopping arcade with 23 homes above. Up to £730,000 of the £2 million total cost will be met from Keighley's Single Regeneration Budget.

Kingfisher last year built Cameronian Court, a complex of 21 flats and houses off East Parade. This development, also subsidised by SRB cash, received acclaim from Government Housing Minister Hilary Armstrong.

Frank Brook, one of the Kingfisher directors, says the development has already attracted strong interest from local people who have great affection for the arcade. He has received several inquiries for shop units, with ideas such as a wine bar, basement gym and balcony tea room. Existing shop tenants are likely to stay

Mr Brook hopes the first flats will be ready for tenants in about six months but warns that the rest may not be ready for a couple of years. "We can't have people living there while we're working," he says. "At the moment we're concentrating on roof work."

Mr Brook, left, is pictured with his fellow director Mark Holroyd , right, and Cllr Andy Mudd, chairman of the SRB partnership board.

Cllr Mudd says: "This is a superb project. It is going to be a real focal point. It is an example of total regeneration with retail, leisure and housing. Kingfisher Developments have been excellent to work with. This project shows what local partnership working can achieve."

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