A NEW food store and butcher’s can open in an empty unit near Bradford City’s grounds after change of use plans were approved.

An application to convert the former Dewhirst Coaches building on Thornciffe Road into a food retailer was submitted to Bradford Council earlier this Summer.

Now the application has been given the green light by planners, who said it would make good use of a long empty building.

The vehicle storage building has been vacant since the transport company shut several years ago.

The application by Shanjid Ali said: “The premises will cater to walk-in customers and local suppliers, offering chilled, frozen, and ambient food goods.

“This (application) represents a direct contribution to the local economy and introduces employment opportunities to an otherwise inactive commercial site.”

It said the store would create seven full time jobs, and be open seven days a week from 9am to 8pm.

Approving the development this week, planners said: “The principle of the proposal is deemed to be acceptable, with the proposal to bring a vacant site and building back into a viable and employment generating commercial use.

“The proposal will improve the site layout and increase the levels of on-site parking provision to serve the proposed use.”