Ilkley's MP has called on Bradford Council to reconsider its decision over the outdoor seating area at Forde restaurant.
Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore said he had been contacted by residents following the council's decision regarding the restaurant's seating arrangement at the Victorian Arcade.
It follows concerns raised by Forde after the restaurant was told changes would need to be made to its outdoor seating area following a complaint.
Mr Moore has now said he will meet with Forde owner Matt Healy to discuss the situation and will press Bradford Council to reconsider its decision.
He said:
“Forde is a fantastic independent restaurant and exactly the kind of business we should be backing in Ilkley.
“Matt and his team have invested considerable time, money and effort into creating a brilliant space that draws customers in from far and wide and that significantly boosts the local economy.
“From everything I have seen, the changes to the Arcade seating area were made for entirely good reasons; making it safer, more accessible and more comfortable for customers, particularly those who are disabled or have mobility issues."
He added:
“For the Council to respond to a single complaint by demanding that this seating area is ripped out, rather than sitting down with Matt and working constructively towards a solution, is quite frankly ridiculous and yet another example of Bradford Council’s incompetence and unwillingness to support the very businesses our town depend on.
“At a time where hospitality businesses are already under enormous pressure from rising costs and other challenges, Bradford Council should be doing everything it can to support them, not putting needless obstacles in their way and making it harder for them to survive."
He added:
“I am appalled by Bradford Council’s handling of this situation.
“I will be meeting Matt to discuss the situation and in the meantime will be pressing Bradford Council to urgently reconsider this completely disproportionate decision.
“We should be fighting to keep brilliant independent businesses like Forde in our town, not giving them reasons to leave.”
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