A FORMER station ticket office in Ilkley could be transformed into an indoor climbing centre and cafe, under novel plans.

Ilkley resident, David Robinson, of ClipnClimb Ilkley Ltd, is seeking permission from Bradford Council to turn the empty unit within Station Plaza into a new leisure attraction.

The ClipnClimb brand has centres in seven countries, specialising in safe climbing walls for people of all ages, making use of an automatic belay system.

Licensees can sign up to operate their own ClipnClimb adventure centres, buying climbing obstacles and equipment from the parent business, which also provides training and maintenance services.

The former ticket office and large foyer, next to the Marks and Spencer Simply Food store, has been empty for two years, since the new ticket office and waiting room was built on the station platform.

ClipnClimb country manager/director, Steve Hilton, based in Lancashire, has hopes Ilkley could be the next town to host one of the leisure attractions.

He said: "ClipnClimb is a leading brand name in the world. There's about 40 different centres throughout the world, and Ilkley will be the 11th in the UK."

The development would also required listed building consent, as the unit is within the Grade II Listed Victorian station building.

The main station building was build in 1864, and Ilkley this year celebrates the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the railway.

A heritage statement accompanying the plan says the building is an important asset to the locality of the conservation area, and it is important that original features and maintained and the empty spaces of the building are rehabilitated.

The building, which houses a number of individual units, has been transformed in recent years, with alterations including joining some of the units up, and bringing in new tenants to occupy them, such as Laura Ashley and Pizza Express.

"The proposed scheme aims to make minimal impact on the heritage of the building and will highlight its existing features," said the statement.

In a Design and Access statement, ClipnClimb Ilkley said the unit was most suited to the business' brief, highlighting the good public transport links and central town centre location.

The company says Mr Robinson was born and brought up in Ilkley, and knows first hand the frustrations that local young people gave when it comes to filling their spare time.