Bradford's Lord Mayor Coun Tony Miller has issued a rallying call to Shipley traders saying that the regeneration of the district will make it a town for the Millennium.

Coun Miller is urging traders to look positively towards the future, saying that recent developments and planned new projects will boost the town's economy, to the benefit of everyone.

The call comes after fears that the closure of Sunwin House, a landmark in the town for the past thirty years, will lead to a decline in trade, signalling a lack of confidence in the area.

Coun Miller, chair of the Shipley Town Centre Steering Group, said: "The Co-op had indicated previously that they were not happy in Shipley and were unlikely to be moving forward with the town into the new Millennium.

"Their lack of investment in the largest retail establishment in the centre was undoubtedly having a detrimental effect on the town."

Earlier this week, the T&A revealed that Sunwin House will close on July 24. All 17 staff in the store will be offered alternative jobs elsewhere in the society.

The property is to be taken over by Ilkley-based Mitre Estates, who will convert it into two shops and a "leisure unit". "This will bring in three new businesses together with more jobs than were there before, which can only be good news," said Coun Miller.

Coun Miller added that there was a long list of recent developments in the town. Combined with projects yet to start, such as the proposed Aldi supermarket and MacDonald's drive-in, he said that these all indicate a town which is moving forward. "Shipley has survived one of the darker periods in its history and is set to be a town for the Millennium," he added.

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