Residents in Bingley have received an early Christmas present as demolition work on its long-awaited £5 million 5Rise shopping centre began today.

The first major job to be completed by contractors F Hardwick Ltd was the destruction of steps in Chapel Lane leading up to the former Co-op on the Myrtle Walk shopping centre.

Workers from the Leeds-based company have now set up an office at the Main Street site and will be carrying out first phase demolition work over the next eight weeks.

The staircase leading up to the former Shama restaurant will be next to go and the roof removed. Building work will then start on creating the shops, library and ten of the 86 flats envisaged for the site in January next year.

Kay Adams, chairman of Bingley Business Watch, said the start of the work was “very exciting”. She said: “There have been problems with yobs at the Co-op so I think the decision was taken to take those stairs down straight away.

“It doesn’t really matter what they do, as long as something is happening and it is positive.

“I don’t think the work will affect trade. We have had few shops in the centre for ages so people are used to that. “We have got to be positive and keep going. Work on Ireland Bridge also has to be done but it is not as busy in summer. This time next year, everything should be great.”

Manager of Timpson, Mike Reed, who will continue to trade in the centre as work goes on around him, said: “It is going to be great in the long run. We will have to see if it affects trade.

“It is something to look forward to, the town has needed it for years, it has been like a dungeon in here.”

Market trader Wendy Smith, who moved from the Myrtle Walk shopping centre to the town’s new market square, welcomed the start of the work.

She said: “It is not before time. I used to be in the shopping centre and it was very dark. I am very pleased the work has started, it has got to be an improvement to Bingley.

“People go to markets elsewhere on the weekend and the centre may help keep them here.”

Fellow market trader Gina Bottomley said work should have been well under way after it was envisaged developers 4Urban would start work in May or June this year.

Councillor David Heseltine (Con, Bingley) said: “Regeneration is happening, despite the credit crunch. It is one small step for man and one large leap for Bingley shoppers.

“We have got a local man in charge and although it is running a little bit behind, preparatory work has been done – roll on the bulldozers.”

Confirmed companies for the centre include Betfred, Boots, Clinton Cards, Greggs, NatWest bank, Subway, Superdrug and Timpson.

The Co-op will remain as the town’s main supermarket and a temporary store has been opened in Main Street.

A free bus service is available to take customers to the larger store in Baildon.

The new-look centre should be open in time for Christmas 2009.