WORK is at last underway on a £10 million new supermarket in Keighley town centre.

Aldi is building the store on a long-derelict site at East Parade.

The development will replace the company's smaller, existing outlet in nearby Gresley Road.

As part of the scheme, shop units and a drive-through restaurant will also be provided.

Aldi was originally granted planning permission for the new supermarket three years ago.

It had stated work would start last year, but the project was delayed as revisions were made to the plans.

Now the firm has confirmed onsite working has begun.

"Residents will have seen a lot of activity on the site – an existing mill has been demolished and we are progressing with the build," says an Aldi spokesperson.

"Relocation from the existing, outdated store to the neighbouring new one is due to take place in the first quarter of 2025."

The news is welcomed by Keighley's town mayor, Councillor John Kirby.

"I welcome the update from Aldi that the new store is set to open early next year," he says.

"The site has been an eyesore for years now and it's great that it is finally going to be brought back into use. I look forward to seeing the development take shape over the coming months."

Keighley MP Robbie Moore says the scheme is good news for Keighley, but he's critical of the delays.

He adds: "It is great to see a derelict brownfield site being used to create jobs and bring growth to the town, but progress on this site has taken far too long and Aldi really does need to get on with it."

As part of the plans, several buildings which occupied the site – including the former Cricketer’s Arms pub – are making way for the development.

There will be parking for more than 240 vehicles, including spaces for 15 blue badge holders and seven parent and toddler bays, four electric vehicle charge points – with scope for a further 20 in the future – two motorcycle bays plus cycle hoops.

Landscaping – featuring wildflower areas, trees and shrubs – will be carried out.

Aldi says the development will "future-proof" the jobs of staff at the existing store, through relocation to the new site, and that employment will be created during the construction stage.

It adds: "This much-needed redevelopment will improve the range and choice of the retail offer within this area, lead to visual improvements, create jobs for local people and bring the vacant site back into active use."