Traders have accused a supermarket boss of being hypocritical after he said Silsden did not need another supermarket.

Their comments follow the strong opposition which has met the proposal from Silsden-based Novo Homes, who want to build a 13,000 sq ft single-storey building on a site by the Leeds-Liverpool Canal known as Tunnicliffes Yard.

In last week's Keighley News Yorkshire Co-op chief executive Tony Henry said the new 12,000 sq ft Co-op development in Bridge Street 'more than satisfied the need in the town'.

He said the Co-op store was in the main shopping area of the town while the proposed one would be away from the main area.

"It may take trade away, which would be bad for the smaller shops in Silsden," he added.

But traders say the damage has already been done, and claim Mr Henry is only looking after the interests of the Yorkshire Co-op.

Paddy Aherne, of the Fruit Hamper in Briggate, has been in the greengrocery business for over 20 years. He says he has lost about one third of his custom since improvements were carried out to the Co-op store. "The streets of Silsden used to be packed with shoppers," says Mr Aherne. "But things are very difficult. If they are going to build, why not build a shopping centre which would give small traders like us a chance to get involved."

He added that there used to be five fruit and vegetable shops in Silsden. "Now there is only one," he says. "If another supermarket is opened then the small shops will simply disappear."

Colin Beaumont, of Sharpe and Beaumont butchers, also in Briggate, has traded in the town for eight years. He objects strongly to Mr Henry's comments. "We have lost about ten per cent of our trade with the Co-op's expansion," he says. "He is only thinking of his own business."

Bakery owner Melvyn Davies says his business is just starting to turn round again after the Co-op's refurbishment. "The store has taken a big share out of every small trader in the town. We struggled for a couple of months but another supermarket in the town will greatly affect us."

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