PLANS to shape the kind of new businesses that open on Otley's high street are being drawn up by business leaders.

Otley's Business Improvement District (BID) team is developing a strategy to help "fill the gaps" in the local economy by influencing what kind of shops start up.

BID says the move, which is still at an early stage, is fuelled by a desire to raise Otley's shopping status to rival that of Ilkley or Harrogate by providing a better mix of stores for residents and visitors.

And the group, which represents hundreds of businesses, has teamed up with the Otley branch of estate agents Hunters to tackle the issue.

BID spokeswoman Rachelle Atkin said: "Rather than just any kind of business coming in the aim is to try and get the right businesses in to improve the town and fill the gaps we have.

"People have said, for example, that there's no children's shoe shop in Otley or that they'd love to see a Costa coffee shop here.

"It's about attracting the right kind of businesses and drawing together all the information, and the point of view estate agents can give obviously provides a lot of help with that, which is why we contacted Hunters."

Director of Hunters Otley, Lester Hurst, added: "It's about making people aware that there are properties available and of what sectors we're looking at in order to breathe a bit more life into the town.

"There is quite a bit of pride in the high street now and we are just trying to upgrade it."

The BID team and Mr Hurst are also hope to work with landlords to ensure that any commercial properties that stay empty for a while are given a makeover.

He said: "We have quite a few empty properties at the moment including on Boroughgate and the high street - and it's that footfall area we need to look at.

"If a property's empty, for example, in the run-up to Christmas when it's likely it's not going to be filled for a few months it could be painted with a Christmas scene by a young local artist from one of the schools."

Otley BID, funded by all of the businesses within its area donating one per cent of their rateable value annually, will plough more than £360,000 into town centre improvements over the coming five years.

More details can be found at www.otleybid.co.uk .