Businesses are to get the low-down on ambitious plans for reviving the Bradford Canal.

The multi-million pound project to form a five kilometre stretch between Bradford and Shipley will be explained at a forum aimed at companies operating in the Canal Road area.

Traders will be invited to ask questions about the project, which would see a canal recreated along a route approximately following the line of the valley between the city centre running five kilometres to Shipley where it will join the Leeds-Liverpool Canal.

Edward Stanners, chairman of the Canal Road Business Forum, said the meeting at Valley Parade on March 23 was a chance for businesses to find out more and make their views known.

"The plans for reviving the canal are exciting and visionary and we want to be able to demonstrate the benefits to all concerned," said Mr Stanners, a director of Clissolds textiles company. "We want businesses, large or small, and any individuals who wish to come along, to put their questions and points."

The scheme's backers hope the apartments, shops and offices in the project will help spark further regeneration along the canal and eventually enable a new waterway to be built.

Robert Heseltine, owner of L Heseltine and Sons bathrooms and kitchens, said he would be attending the meeting with interest. He said the canal plan placed a question mark over the long-term future of his business at the Canal Road site it has occupied since 1972.

"I would like to know if the canal would definitely affect our business, and what's the time frame? We can't plan for the future if we don't know.

A spokesman for neighbouring Sampson Engineering said they were awaiting further details with interest.

David Simpson, of Mercury Tyres on Gaisby Lane off Canal Road, said his tenancy agreement would not be renewed in September. "I suppose it's all tied up in these plans. We are an established business - we've been here five years. It's okay opening the canal, but is it at the expense of smaller businesses?"

Consultants Ove Arup will give an overview of proposed changes and Alan Soper, design director of Robinson Architects, working with Magellan's on an overview of The Channel city centre village development where the canal will start.

To book a place on the meeting, which starts at 5pm, contact Mark Weaver at Bradford Chamber on (01274) 778734 or events@bradfordchamber.co.uk