Shipley MP Chris Leslie has launched an attack on "gaudy'' shop fronts in Saltaire. They sometimes make him feel he's living in Disneyland, he says.

And he has singled out newly-opened bookies Albert J Carson, in Gordon Terrace, for criticism, describing it as bright and garish.

Mr Leslie said: "Quite a few shop fronts, such as Kentucky Fried Chicken and the Rosse Hotel, are becoming like this. I have nothing against shops that want to attract customers but it can be a bit intrusive.''

He added: "Sometimes I worry that we are going overboard and making it like Disneyland."

The chairman of Saltaire Village Society, Clive Woods, agreed about the appearance of KFC and the Rosse. And he said his first reaction to the Carson display was: "It looks a mess."

He added: "I'm not against bookies but it's pretty appalling and not in keeping with the environs of Saltaire.

"We should also bear in mind that we may be recommended for world heritage status in the new year."

But Carsons manager Madeleine Carson said: "Our architect likes to make a bold statement and we think our shop front is fine, unusual and distinctive which is in sharp contrast to some of the drab, old-fashioned buildings round about. Since opening on Boxing Day we have received many compliments from local people and I don't believe it is in bad taste."

Matthew Clough, manager of Choices Video, in Bingley Road, denied the village was drab. "A lot of it is old-fashioned because that's what Saltaire is, but drab? Definitely not,'' he added.

Commenting on the Rosse's neon sign, a spokesman said: "The company is aware of comments that have been made about the sign and we are looking into it."

Councillor Phil Thornton, of the Town and Country Planning (Shipley Area) Sub-Committee, said: "Having illuminations on the lines of Las Vegas is not what I would see as maintaining the culture of the area."

T&A Opinion

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