As politically incorrect as it may be, there must have been an added delight for some of those involved in Keighley's winning of the national town centre award. Though they may not be able to say it, we can - Keighley whopped Bradford.

Friendly rivalry apart, the Property Week award says an awful lot about Keighley. There can be no denying that not that long ago Keighley Town Centre had massive problems with litter, graffiti and vandalism. Empty shops with shabby facades did little to add to the image.

The Town Centre Management Team set out a strategy with achievable objectives. As their award citation says, its success is due to a strong partnership with local businesses committing time and funds through a rolling programme of investments.

It is to be hoped that any doubters of the scheme are now convinced of the benefits of town centre management and more and more firms will sign up taking the team seriously.

It was a team effort and it would not be correct to single out any one person. However the dedication of Town Centre manager Sandra Parnham does deserve a special mention. Well done the team!

To show there's no hard feeling, our congratulations to Bradford. You deserved your prestigious award too.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.