Shoppers are set to benefit from the expansion of a shopping centre.

Bosses at Airedale Shopping Centre, in Keighley, claim they are in negotiations with “household names” as part of plans to expand into an adjacent empty factory.

Three large units would be created using the former Laycock’s warehouse, behind North Street, they say. An application has been submitted to Bradford Council to extend into the building.

Shopping centre manager Steve Seymour said the centre’s owners, Delancey, were already in negotiations with several potential tenants.

He said: “They are names not currently in Keighley and they will do well. They need the square footage. We've identified areas we need to bring into Keighley – to bring Primarks and Peacocks to the town.”

The aim is to open the units in advance of the proposed Worth Valley Shopping Centre, on East Parade, which will not be completed for at least three years.

Leaders of both projects have said major store chains are keen to open in Keighley if large town centre units were available.