WORK to turn a vacant city centre building into a cafe and bar can now begin after Councillors approved an alcohol licence for the new business.

Bradford Council's District Licensing Panel today granted the licence to Haseeb Raja to serve alcohol at the former Cooker Centre building on Rawson Square, which he plans to shortly re-open as a bar.

It will be the latest addition to the North Parade bar scene.

Mr Raja told the panel he had run another city centre bar for 17 years, and added: "This is a good opportunity and I think it will add to the street. I've got a proven track record and want to invest in Bradford."

There had been eight objections to the plans, with people living near the building raising concerns that another bar in the "top of town" area would lead to an increase in anti social behaviour. But the panel were satisfied the business would do enough to prevent any late night nuisance.

The panel granted a licence to open the business from 10am to midnight on Monday to Thursday from 10am until 2pm on Friday and Saturday and noon until midnight on Sundays.

Conditions include that the bar have a dispersal policy for the end of the evening, and that doors and windows not be left open.