A NEW bar and cafe could open in Keighley town centre if plans to convert an office unit are approved.

A planning application to convert 3 Scott Street, behind the town's Yorkshire Bank, from office space to "a café bar serving soft drinks, hot drinks and alcohol" were submitted to Bradford Council by Alan Hartley.

It would specialise in craft ale and gin and be a "sister bar" to The Ginning Rat on Low Street.

The unit is next, and owned by, the town's Liberal Club.

The application says the building has been empty for "many months" and adds: "The main thrust of the business is to operate as a craft beer and gin establishment as an historical themed bar, related in a thematic way to its existing sister bar, the Ginning Rat.

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"The proposal is considered to promote a leisure activity base, to help compliment adjacent uses and

help to stimulate development by transforming change in this part of the edge of the town centre.

"By promoting change on this part of Scott Street, the proposal will serve to stimulate activity in this part of Keighley to compliment nearby retail activity and promote early evening patronage in the area, which currently tends to close-down after 5pm."

A decision on the application is expected in late April.