A NEW drive has been launched to revitalise a "gem of our town" amid claims it's been neglected by Bradford Council.

Calls are being made for the rejuvenation of Keighley market hall, in Low Street.

The town's MP, Robbie Moore, has met with traders to discuss ways of breathing new life into the council-owned site.

He says: "Keighley market is an absolute gem of our town and that should be recognised and promoted, and our amazing stallholders need to be backed so they have the best opportunity for their businesses to thrive.

"Many of the traders have felt there's been a lack of support from Bradford Council in recent years. It is imperative that following this meeting, the council maintains a regular dialogue with the traders moving forward.

"I look forward to a further meeting in the coming months when I hope improvements will have been made. I certainly won't stand by without helping our stallholders as much as possible."

Keighley's mayor, Councillor John Kirby, says the town council is currently examining how it can help the market.

He says: "We are committed to supporting the town centre, and that includes the indoor market.

"Whilst the market is owned by Bradford Council, we are looking at how we can help support the market hall – for example by providing assistance with marketing and promoting the brilliant small businesses based there.

"Our officers will be reaching out to Bradford Council and market traders in the coming weeks to discuss how best the town council can assist."

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, says:  “We recently met with our market traders in Keighley to discuss how we can better promote what a fantastic indoor market we have in the town.

"We are very proud of our markets across the district and are keen to support the traders in Keighley as much as we can. There’s a lot going on in Keighley and now that Keighley BID have recently secured a new term we will speak to them about how we can work together to support the promotion of the market through their activities.

“In the longer term we are looking at developing a vision and long-term plan for Keighley and of course the market is always part of our thinking, and we put on activities in the market throughout the year to help boost footfall. The recently-completed improvements to Low Street around the market show the investment we’re keen to make to the area to help improve footfall. We will continue to communicate with traders on how we can support them and promote the market.”

Keighley was granted a market charter in 1305, and the current building was opened in the early 1970s.