Plans to demolish a prominent newsagent’s kiosk in the city centre have been put forward by Bradford Council.

The Council’s Demolition and Works Unit has submitted the application to remove the kiosk from City Park.

Bradford Council has said removing the kiosk will create more space for events and pedestrians, and also improve the appearance of the square.

The 43.5 sq metre kiosk takes up just 0.2 per cent of the total area of City Park, which has a total area of more than 20,000 sq metres.

The Council has also pledged to help the business owner find a new location and have access to Growth Zone Funding.

The kiosk, Centenary News, has been based in City Park for 23 years.

Mohamed Memi, manager of Centenary News, said it would be sad to leave the kiosk and City Park, and a lot of its regular customers have been upset at the news.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw said on Facebook the decision to get rid of the kiosk was “not easy”.

He said: “The tenant was notified of our intentions not to renew the lease before the planning application was submitted. Times have changed since the kiosk was first put in and there’s a better offer now in the city centre for that type of product.

“It’s also in the middle of City Park, and to be honest isn’t really up to the same standard as its surroundings.

“As some people have noted, it also acts as a bottleneck during busy events and this gives us the opportunity to open that space up better.

“It’s not an easy decision as we’re conscious it’s someone’s business but we believe it’s the right thing to do and will give us the opportunity to improve City Park as an events space.”

A spokesman for Bradford Council said: “The multi award-winning City Park has been a major catalyst for regeneration and continues to be a magnet for visitors. When the park opened in 2012 the lease on the kiosk had a number of years to run.

“Now the lease has expired, we are looking to create more space for pedestrians and additional open space for events.

“Removing the structure will improve the appearance of the City Park environment which is now a key city centre destination.

“We will of course work with the business to help find an alternative location as well as discussing access to Growth Zone Funding as part of the Priority Streets Scheme.”

To comment on the application, visit the Council’s planning website, or write to the Planning Service at Britannia House, Hall Ings, BD1 1HX, quoting planning reference 17/06288/FUL, by Friday, December 22.