Former Keighley Marks & Spencer building could be turned into bowling alley
A planning application to convert the former department store on Low Street in Keighley into a “vibrant family entertainment centre” has been submitted to Bradford Council.
A FORMER town centre Marks & Spencer unit could become a bowling alley in a bid to boost a town’s evening economy.
A planning application to convert the former department store on Low Street in Keighley into a “vibrant family entertainment centre” has been submitted to Bradford Council.
The building is part of the Airedale Shopping Centre, and the plans say the new venue will “diversify the offer” of a retail destination that has been hit by several high profile closures in recent years.
If approved, the venue would open until midnight on the weekend.
The Keighley branch of Marks & Spencer closed in 2018, and since then the prominent unit has had a number of temporary uses.
It is currently used as a charity shop by Keighley Cat Care, which opens three days a week.
The planning application by Hardeep Singh Sandal, says the new business would create 10 full time jobs.
It shows the new venture will have 10 bowling lanes, pool tables, and a restaurant and bar area.
Proposed opening hours are 9am until 11pm on Sunday to Thursday and 9am until midnight from on Friday and Saturday.
The unit is just yards from Keighley Market, and on one of the town’s main shopping streets.
The planning application says: “The proposal seeks to transform the currently underutilised commercial space into a vibrant family entertainment centre.
“The development has been carefully designed to create an engaging leisure destination that attracts a wide range of visitors throughout the day and into the evening.
“The scheme aims to diversify the offer within Airedale Shopping Centre by introducing a complementary leisure use that encourages increased footfall, extends activity beyond traditional retail trading hours, and contributes to the ongoing regeneration and vitality of the town centre.
“By activating the shopping centre during the evening, the proposal will help create a safe, welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere, supporting the local economy while providing a high-quality entertainment venue for the community.
“Through the sustainable reuse of an existing commercial building, the proposal will contribute positively to the ongoing regeneration of Keighley, supporting local businesses, encouraging longer visitor dwell times and enhancing the vitality and viability of the shopping centre and the surrounding area.
“The surrounding public realm includes high-quality paving, integrated planting, street lighting and street furniture, creating an accessible and attractive pedestrian environment.
“However, the inactive appearance of the existing shop front limits opportunities for interaction with the public realm and diminishes the building’s visual prominence despite its highly visible location.
“The building benefits from generous floor-to-ceiling heights, creating a spacious internal environment that is well suited to a wide range of commercial and leisure uses.
A decision on the application is expected next month.