A refurbishment programme for Keighley town centre is aiming for a successful second round national lottery bid.

Bradford Council conservation officer Christine Kerrin told Keighley Town Council that £2 million of lottery cash could become available for the Townscape Heritage Initiative.

The money would be spent over the next five years to restore historic buildings and bring vacant properties back into use.

Ms Kerrin said if it was successful, the initiative would bring economic as well as purely architectural regeneration.

She said the scheme had already identified five properties in the town centre which might benefit.

She said these had been earmarked because they were listed, vacant and at risk.

Cllr Tony Wright said if empty buildings were made useable, care must be taken in assembling the right mix of residential and commercial occupiers.

Cllr Zaman said: “If this succeeds it would be an absolute coup for Keighley.

“If our town centre isn’t thriving it pulls the whole town down.”

l Keighley must not end up with a “hole in the ground” where the town’s current college building is located, warned Cllr Wright.

Reporting back on his attendance at a Keighley Town Centre Association board meeting, he said it was crucial that something positive was done with the property once it was vacated. The college is due to occupy its new premises, in Dalton Lane, next year.

The Keighley News understands the four major buildings involved are The old police HQ in North Street The small, semi-derelict arcade in North Street (where Turner and Wall is) The building housing the Jean Junction shop, next to K2 night club, in High Street A building in Chapel Lane, currently housing a printing business.