The majority of people in Bingley would like to see the back of the controversial former headquarters of Bradford & Bingley bank.

But many cannot agree on what should replace the old building, in Main Street, which has been empty since the company transferred its remaining staff to its Crossflatts base.

The Telegraph & Argus yesterday reported how the building could be demolished once it was sold. It could make way for a new supermarket, as at least two store giants are said to be queuing up to buy the £4 million prime town centre site.

Bidders are also understood to include property developers like 4Urban, which recently completed the new 5Rise shopping mall across the road.

Most shoppers and workers in Bingley town centre yesterday thought the building should be brought down.

Sandra Dexter, 63, of Addingham, said: “I think it is a bit of an eyesore. I would like to see it redeveloped – it’s so dominating.

“Especially now there is this new centre, from the point of view of the businesses in Bingley, then it has left a huge gap because of all the staff that have moved down the road.

“I think it could be something for the community where all the community could gain from it, rather than just a business.

“Although it is an eyesore, it is something that is associated with Bingley.”

Nathan Porter, 28, of Shipley, said: “You’re not going to get a firm that will come in and take on that building – I think they should take it down and build the shopping centre that they should have done.

“I wouldn’t mind if it was a new supermarket.

“If a Tesco’s gets built down the road then I don’t think people will build one here as well because you would have all the traffic problems with it.”

Marilyn Meer, 73, of Bingley, said: “We are waiting to see what’s happening about Tesco at the other end.

“I think it ought to be taken down or developed into residential spaces.

“But we need something.

“It’s too big to be left empty. And there’s no parking, so that would be a problem for a supermarket.”

David Slater, 31, of Bingley, said: “I don’t think we need another supermarket.

“It just depends what idea 4Urban have got for it really, because I don’t think they could attract massive out-of-town retailers to Bingley.

“We have got to demolish the thing anyway because it’s no use to anyone at the moment.”

Maria Robinson, 77, of Bingley, said: “I think it’s an eyesore – I always have done.

“To be honest I always thought it would be apartments or flats and we have got the Co-op here as well.

“Supermarkets seem to be the favourite, but we have got the Co-op already.

“I thought it would go as apartments but we have more apartments and flats in Bingley than we know what to do with.”

Mary Barber, 75, of Bingley, said: “If they get franchised things in, like Debenhams, that would be all right, but I don’t think they would stay here because there’s not enough going on.”

Henry Barber, 74, of Bingley, said: “I don’t think they can do anything with it as it is.

“It’s never going to look right if they try and do anything with it. I think really they ought to get a group together and have a discussion about what they can do with it.”

Not everybody, though, was for the idea of knocking the building down.

Boleslaw Javlonski, 79, of Shipley, said: “I think it is a landmark. People recognise this building as part of Bingley.

“So I think it ought to stay and maybe a bank or a financial institution could come in – definitely not a supermarket.

“The building to me is part of the character of the town.”

Sheila Barnard, 63, of Bingley, said: “I have never objected to it.

“It’s always been a good landmark, especially at night when it’s lit up.

“Some people just absolutely hate it, but I have never really objected to it.”

Business owners in the town said trade had slowed down since B&B staff had moved to Crossflatts.

Maureen Miller, owner of the sandwich and pie shop in Chapel Lane, which used to be known as Darren Todds, said: “We used to have people queuing out of the door, but not any more.

“There was talk of it becoming a call centre, so I would prefer it if it became something like that, because that’s what it was used for.

“I don’t think a supermarket would benefit us to be honest – I would like the workforce back.”

Paulette Johnson, owner of the Rustic Garden flower shop, in Main Street, said: “I would not prefer a supermarket, definitely.

“There’s the Co-op here already – I think other shops would be nice.

“I think Bingley is a nice place to shop.

“Another business enterprise or bank would be good – that would be the first option because that would bring more customers in.”

Lucy Lee, owner of the Vilucci Cafe Bar, in Main Street, said: “Preferably, we were hoping someone would come in straight away and bring the business back into Bingley, because it has had an effect on all the businesses.

“We are lucky because we have got a lot of regular customers. But people who were here, they still come in from Crossflatts but before it was every day.

“Hopefully they won’t knock it down and build something, because that would take years.

“I think a lot has got to be done with the building, but we were hoping when the last people left, that within six months there would be another firm ready.”

Shoppers and workers in Bingley, though, had a wealth of ideas of what the site could be used for.

Chris Dawson, 41, of Bingley, said: “I would like to see the building go because I think it’s just dated and old – just a big block of concrete.

“Probably a supermarket would be all right with some smaller retailer shops as well.”

Joyce Hardwick, 82, of Bingley, said: “Something needs to be done obviously.

“It would be ideal for me if they turned it into a shopping arcade./p> “If that was a shopping arcade it would be ideal – people would flock to it from Bradford and Keighley.

“A casino or a shopping arcade, that would be good for me.”

Camilla Devanny, 70, of Cottingley Bridge, said: “I would like to see a supermarket there.

“It wants something doing to it, it’s an eyesore at the moment.

“We would love a Marks & Spencers but we can understand all the businesses wanting offices.”

David Simmonds, 69, of Cottingley, said: “That building wants knocking down, it’s a blight on the landscape.

“I would go for a supermarket, it would be better than what it is.”

Kenneth Toon, 61, of Cottingley, said: “I would like to see it taken down and made into a park.

“Not another supermarket – there’s enough of them, they should extend the park.

“It’s not going to be a very nice building if it is a supermarket.”

Karon Toon, 50, of Cottingley, said: “It’s a monstrosity. I would just like to see it taken down.

“I don’t think Bingley is big enough for another supermarket.”

Karen Matthews, 43, of Bingley, said: “Maybe they should knock it down and leave it as a park.

“They would have to improve the parking if they built more shops.

“A complex with lovely restaurants and bars, but nice, a bit upmarket.”