A STRIKING extension for a thriving Bradford fashion business has been given the go ahead.

Janan, on Shearbridge Road, lodged an application to alter and extend one end of the retail building to create a new entrance area, a menswear clothing floor and storage.

It opened its doors in 2011 and has achieved "incredible success" by selling the "biggest and best" Indian and Pakistani fashion brands.

The application said: "The fashion retailer is seeing rapid sales growth and expansion, following both online and in store sales thriving. The company is tapping-in to a generation of younger consumers who shop on their mobile phones and share fashion tips through social media."

In assessing the application, planning officer Amin Ibrar said in a report: "The existing retail unit has become very popular for Asian subcontinental fashion since it opened and together with the nearby Bombay Stores has increased the popularity of this area resulting in it becoming a destination for such clothing.

"Whilst the proposal would significantly increase the size of the existing already substantial retail unit the proposal would not result in any significant harm to the vitality and viability of any of the designated centres."

The report adds: "The application proposes a striking contemporary first floor extension which is supported by large steel trusses.

"The extension is clad in grey metal cladding matching that used on the rear extension and large amounts of glazing to its front elevation.

The proposal is of superior architectural quality to the previously approved plans and are considered to be acceptable in regards to their visual impact."

The planning application, which was put together by Bradford architect firm Yeme, described Janan as a "fast growing business", with ten outlets across the UK and a "substantial social media presence", with more than 250,000 followers on Facebook and Instagram.

It added: "Headquartered in Bradford, this business is a valuable asset to the city. The proposal is a valuable representation of the dynamism of Bradford’s Asian business influence in this sector. The alteration and extension is largely driven by an increase in demand for the menswear offering and restricted retail space on the ground floor, affecting the operation of the applicant, which means that space inside the existing unit needs to be re-arranged."

Yeme said: "Thanks to some extreme engineering the proposal spans the entire width of the existing building, requiring only minimal internal alterations to minimise cost and disruption."