THE chairman of a big-name clothing retail chain has joined objectors speaking out against plans to turn an Ilkley town centre shop into a restaurant.

Iain McGeoch, chairman of Scottish-based retailer M&Co, wrote to Bradford Council opposing a planning application which could see the Station Plaza unit currently rented by his company turned into a 100-plus seater restaurant.

Mr McGeoch claimed adding another restaurant to the area, at the prominent corner of Station Road and Brook Street, could undermine the viability of the town centre.

A ward councillor and a former school governor are among other objectors who are fighting the proposals, citing concerns including the oversupply of eateries in the town centre and a shortage of retail outlets to buy affordable children’s clothing in the town.

The plan was submitted by premises owner, Retail Plus General Partner Limited.

Mr McGeoch said: “There are already a significant number of non A1 class units in the vicinity and a further A3 unit would add to changing the character of the shopping street, particularly when this unit is located on a prominent corner site.

"The proposal would be detrimental to the town's retail offer and the attraction to shoppers would diminish, therefore undermining the vitality and viability of the town centre.”

But He told the Gazette this week he believes the shop, which sells women’s and children’s clothing and accessories, will stay.

He said: “M&Co enjoy being part of Ilkley town centre in our current location. We plan to renew our lease, which under the Landlord and Tenants Act we have the right to do.

“Unfortunately, it would appear that the people making the planning application have been poorly advised.

"We remain fully committed to Ilkley and continuing to provide affordable fashion for the local community.”

Ilkley ward councillor, Martin Smith, also objected to the plan, claiming the ratio of restaurants to shops was becoming “out of scale”.

The premises have been linked by local people to Italian restaurant chain Carluccio’s, although a spokesman for the company said yesterday that nothing was confirmed.

The application says a restaurant would generate 35 jobs.