CONSERVATION officers have reiterated the importance of daytime opening hours for a planned cafe bar in Bradford’s ‘top of town’ area.

Proposals for the former Cooker Centre in Rawson Square could see the building transformed into the new venture, with a snooker/pool room area on the first floor.

Previous plans for the building were rejected by Bradford Council over fears that the vitality and diversity of the area would be harmed.

Planners said there seemed to be little evidence the business would open during the day, and this would further contribute to the North Parade area being a place that only attracted crowds in the evening.

In light of the concerns raised, applicant Haseeb Raja has submitted a fresh bid to bring the building back into use, opening at 10am and trading as a cafe bar during lunchtime and offering food up until 9pm at night.

Heather Flack, from Bradford Council’s conservation team, said planning conditions should be used to ensure the building is open during the day.

Commenting on the application, she said: “The vitality of the area around Rawson Square and North Parade has changed in recent times, with a shift from predominant retailing to a mix of retail, leisure and commercial.

“This appears to have had a positive impact on the perception and activity on the streets around the top of town, although this is clearly a fine balance.

“Daytime vitality and activity is essential to ensure that the area remains attractive at all times and that the range of businesses and attractions is balanced and sustainable.

“The current application is for a cafe/bar with games room on the first floor and offices on the second floor. The openings hours are proposed to be from 10am until midnight/early hours in the morning depending on the day.”

She added: “It is important that the business does operate during the day so that it contributes positively to the daytime activity and footfall in the area and if the application were to be viewed favourably it is imperative that we would be able to ensure that the business opened during the day as well as the evening, if necessary through the use of planning conditions.”

Objecting to the plans, Steve Naylor wrote on the Council's planning portal: "North Parade is now saturated with bars, and alternative uses should be found for this unit."

A decision on the planning application is expected to be delivered in the coming weeks.