A MAJOR gap in Otley town centre will be plugged when Yorkshire Trading Company opens in Kirkgate this weekend – with the creation of up to 15 new jobs.

The company has moved into the former Woolworths building that has been standing empty since the store closed last December, and hopes to open on Saturday.

The development has been hailed by many as a sign that the local economy may be recovering from a tough spell that has seen a number of businesses and pubs close down.

Elsewhere in the town there is further evidence of brighter times for local traders, with several new shops up and running and an £80,000 Indian restaurant, Red Pepper, due to open next week.

Yorkshire Trading Company’s retail operations manager, Mark Johnson, said he was delighted to re-establish the firm’s presence in Otley.

He said: “We used to trade in Otley in Orchard Gate but came out about nine years ago, so we’re familiar with the town.

“And traditionally we do very well in market towns and tourist, seaside towns so the likes of Otley, Ilkley and Skipton have always been of interest to us. The sad demise of Woolworths gave us an opportunity to come back in here and as we’ve been in working in the store this week a lot of people have shown an interest, and everybody’s been very positive.

“We’re hoping to open this weekend but it will depend on how we get on and if all the deliveries come in on time.

“But we will certainly be open by Monday at the latest and we will be employing between 12 and 15 people, depending on the mix of full and part-time positions.”

Based in Driffield, the Yorkshire Trading Company has been running for more than half a century and sells a wide range of good including stationery, gifts, household products, hardware, confectionery and the Rydale clothing range.

In Kirkgate the Yorkshire Soap Co has filled an empty spot in Market Street, while a motorbike clothing and accessories firm, Helmets to Boots, now occupies the former Waye & Son offices in Kirkgate.

President of Otley & District Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Christopher Little, said: “This is an encouraging sign for the town and we are pleased to see as many retailers as possible filling the empty shops.

“I think things are picking up.”

Chamber member and past president Victoria Oldham, who runs an accountancy firm in New Market, said: “The Yorkshire Trading Company taking over the Woolworths site is good news and I hope people will support them, the less empty premises we have in town the better.

“Other formerly empty shops are also being filled and in New Market, for example, everywhere is now full and there are no empty premises at all.

“Hopefully things are starting to pick up in the town. We do need people to shop locally, however, wherever possible and particularly in the run-up to Christmas.

“And we do hope that the business rates increases which are due to come in next year don’t cause problems.”

Local politicians have also been quick to hail the news, although concerns remain about the closed Woolpack and Bowling Green pubs, on Bondgate.

Otley’s MP Greg Mulholland said: “It is encouraging that we are seeing new shops and businesses opening in Otley. I think the Yorkshire Trading Company will be a very positive replacement for Woolworths in that important location.

“It is vital for the local economy that Otley continues to have a good range of shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs. I am delighted that the Town Partnership have recently launched their food trail leaflet and we want to see similar such initiatives.

“I will continue to raise the question of the future of the Bowling Green and the Woolpack, it is so important that those two landmark pubs are tidied up and opened again.”

Councillor Graham Kirkland (Lib Dem, Otley and Yeadon) said: “I’m very pleased about the old Woolworths store and the other signs of recovery, it’s about time that site got someone because it’s a prime spot in the town centre and quite a big shop. It’s been sitting empty for too long.”

“I’m a bit disappointed with JD Wetherspoon, however, because they’re just not getting on with the Bowling Green.”

Red Pepper in New Market, meanwhile - based in what was once Truffles and more recently Twenty7 - will launch with a fundraising evening for Otley based children’s charity Hang On To A Dream on Wednesday, November 4.

The venture has involved an £80,000 investment by 39 year old restaurant manager and head chef Khalik Miah and his business partners Khalis Miah, Mohammed Miah and Rafique Ali.

Mr Khalik Miah said: “We have all wanted to have our own restaurant for some time, but finding the right location is not easy.

“As it turned out we found one virtually on our doorstep in Otley, and we are looking forward to bringing the authentic taste of India to it.”