Street traders in Shipley town centre could be a thing of the past under new regulations imposed by Bradford Council.

At a licensing sub-committee meeting yesterday, councillors approved plans to ban street trading in the town centre, with certain areas designated as consent streets.

The move comes after town centre manager Bob Parker received complaints from retailers in the town who were concerned that mobile traders were "creaming" valuable trade away from them.

In a letter to the Council, Mr Parker raised these concerns, saying that, as Shipley did not have any restrictions, it would only be a matter of time before other street vendors took the opportunity to move in.

Speaking at yesterday's meeting, Mr Parker said: "Shipley went through a particularly low spot in its history in 1997, but through a lot of hard work, things are happening now, with massive investment going into ventures such as the bowling alley and pubs.

"The results of Shipley Town Centre Study were published earlier this year, which made certain recommendations about the future of the town, and controls on street trading will assist those recommendations."

Mr Parker added that one particular trader who sold ice creams was posing a problem.

"He comes when the sun shines leaving other traders struggling to make a crust," added Mr Parker.

Under the new rules, the whole of the town centre will be made a prohibitive area with Market Square, Market Street, Central Avenue, Well Croft and Kirkgate designated as consent streets.

Sub-committee members voted to approve the plans.

Objectors to the scheme now have 28 days to make their representations to the Council, after which time it may then pass a resolution designating the street.

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