DEVELOPERS have been showing off their plans for a Holmfirth eyesore.

The rundown former Lodge's Supermarket, in the town centre, has been targeted by campaign group Sort It!

They want the building, which has been empty for the past eight years, demolished but Marsh-based Forward Developers have other plans.

At the Old Bridge Hotel they unveiled ambitious plans to turn the building in to a nine-unit shopping arcade.

Forward Director David Ward was confident they could begin work within the next three months.

"The reaction we have got from the public has been generally good," he said.

"They want the building sorted out and, in all fairness, that is exactly what we want as well.

"It was all about telling the public our plans and taking their comments and thoughts about what we had in mind on board.

"Because we already have the planning permission to improve the front of the building we should be able to start very soon. All we need approving are some minor details."

The new frontage, which will be produced by Elland-based company Andy Thornton, will include a veranda and large windows.

But Greg Cristofi, president of the Holme Valley Business Association, admitted he had mixed feelings.

He said: "Anything that improves the building has got to be a good thing for Holmfirth, so I am pleased about that at least.

"But I do have some concerns. The first is I am worried there will not be enough business to sustain nine new shops in Holmfirth, and of course there is a worry that it will effect the businesses already in the town.

"For nine new shops to work more people will have to come to the town from elsewhere to shop and I am not sure that is likely."

Last month the store was short-listed by Channel 4 programme Demolition as a candidate for knocking down.

The filming was described as `contrived' and designed to provoke a heated reaction, but the show's producer Caroline Ross Pirie denied that.