Bradford Council has been accused of “not being interested in Keighley” after it was revealed funding could be axed for the town’s popular street markets.

The authority has revealed it is unlikely to have resources to help finance the Oktoberfest or Christmas markets this year.

The decision has been condemned by Keighley town councillor Tony Wright, who learned of it in an e-mail from the district council’s markets manager.

Coun Wright was told resources would instead be focussed on providing festive events in Haworth, Bradford city centre and the Industrial Museum.

“They’re not interested in Keighley,” he said.

“As far as economic regeneration is concerned, they’re disengaging from this area – they only care about Haworth and Bradford. It’s disgraceful.

“These market events do help with footfall. Local residents look forward to them and they attract more people to shop in the town.”

But Bradford Council this week refuted the allegation it was not interested in the town.

“We are very much committed to Keighley,” said a spokesman. “Our markets team organised a spring market in Keighley last month and has invested £2.5 million in refurbishing the main market since 2004.

“This investment is on top of the money spent on the refurbishment of Cliffe Castle, which will reopen in the summer. This and the £1.5 million committed just last month by the council to improving traffic congestion in the town centre demonstrates we value Keighley and we will continue investing in it.”

He added: “The council would welcome any application for a market licence from the town council or its partners to deliver street market-type events.”

Steve Seymour, Keighley Town Centre Association chairman and manager of the Airedale Shopping Centre, said the street markets did attract visitors and it would be a shame if they couldn’t go ahead due to cost-cutting.

“We have a Christmas market on our agenda for the lights switch-on in November,” he said.

“This market is a new event and we believe Keighley wants and needs it. It might be that we could find our own local market traders.

“We need to work with the council markets department to see what it can support in the future.”