BOSSES of a long-delayed £30 million shopping centre should provide residents with an update on the project, councillors said today.

Politicians are demanding property company Stainsby Grange make a public statement about the progress of the Worth Valley Shopping Centre, in Keighley.

They are concerned that work has not begun on the five-acre town centre site three years after planning permission was given to build the ambitious shops, cinema and restaurant complex.

Keighley town mayor Javaid Akhtar described delays in building the shopping centre as “very disappointing” and feared a repeat of the massive ‘hole’ which blighted Bradford city centre for several years as the Broadway shopping centre project faltered.

Cllr Akhtar added: “We as a Town Council were happy to support Stainsby Grange with their plans, and we’ve not heard anything since about what they’re doing and what the hold-ups are. Why is there a delay?”

Others have branded the site on East Parade, where buildings were demolished in 2013 in readiness for construction work, as an eyesore.

District councillor Andrew Mallinson, today called for “openness and transparency” from Stainsby Grange to ensure the development tied-in with the millions of pounds currently being invested in town centre projects such as a one-way system.

He said: “A lot of work with the road infrastructure in East Parade and Worth Way is based on the anticipated opening of the site and the impact it will have on the road network for visitors and shoppers."

Councillors spoke out after clothing giant Next, last year named as the likely flagship store, played down its present involvement in the Worth Valley Shopping Centre project.

A Next spokesman said: “This is something that we are not actively progressing with.”

Stainsby Grange had not responded to a request for a comment by the time we went to press.

Councillors stressed they still supported the Worth Valley Shopping Centre plans, and said they understood the difficulties faced by developers putting together complicated deals involving several major retailers in the current economic climate.

But district councillor Abid Hussain said it was vital Stainsby Grange opened up about the latest position.

He said “Please come forward and let the Keighley community know what is going on. Stainsby Grange have started the groundwork so when are they going to build the shopping centre?

“They need to do something with that site. It’s a big eyesore.”

Keighley MP Kris Hopkins said: “This development is important for Keighley, both in terms of providing a boost to the local economy and also the creation of more jobs. I want to see it brought to completion as swiftly as possible.”

Bradford Council said it understood Stainsby Grange was working hard to sign up tenants to their new shopping centre.

A spokesman said: “Obviously they do not always share commercial negotiations with the council.

“We will continue to support any efforts to strengthen the retail offer in Keighley, which benefits from big retail names as well as a range of independent shops that give the town a unique flavour, but we of course always welcome further investment interest."