Dozens of new jobs are set to be created in Baildon if plans to build a £2 million supermarket get Council approval.

The new Co-op Foodmarket store could be open as early as next year and the expansion scheme would also provide the village with a brand new social club.

The project to replace Yorkshire Co-operatives' shop in Northgate and build a store on the site of the Copper Beech Club on the other side of the road is part of the company's multi-million pound re-development plans.

A planning application is currently being prepared and if it gets the thumbs-up from Bradford Council the 12,000 square foot store will create some 50 new full and part-time jobs.

The re-development would include a new club being built above the store and Copper Beech members have given the scheme their backing.

Kath Harrison, the club's secretary, said: "The members have voted overwhelmingly for this joint project to go ahead. Once it's complete Baildon will have a brand new club which will be the envy of the region.''

Peter Marks, chief general manager of the Yorkshire Co-operatives' retail division, said: "Subject to planning approval we hope to start work on the new Foodmarket during 1998 with the doors opening to the public in early 1999.

"It will be great news for everybody, especially the Baildon community which will not just have a new social club but a brand new supermarket employing 50 more people.

"Our belief is that shops of this nature revitalise small towns and villages by offering people the opportunity to stay and shop in their local community.''

Councillor Colin Charlesworth (Cons, Baildon) said: "I'm going to reserve my judgement until I see the details of the planning application because a development like this would have a big impact on the village.

"In terms of shopping facilities it may well improve things but equally we have enough traffic problems in the village already.''

But Geoff Barker, secretary of Baildon Civic Society, said: "The present store's a bit on the small side and I think this would help to keep Baildon residents in the village rather than travelling to other supermarkets.''

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.