MP Jason McCartney has praised Lindley’s high street, describing it as ‘exactly what a community needs’.

The Colne Valley Conservative said Lidget Street was a prime example of how a small shopping street could survive in tough economic times.

While many town centres, particularly Huddersfield’s, have been badly affected by the recession, Lidget Street has a number of thriving businesses aided by customer friendly, short stay parking.

TV retail guru Mary Portas has said local shops can be successful if they are more specialist, experienced and offer good customer service.

Citing Ms Portas, Mr McCartney said: “That is shown particularly well on a very successful high street in Lindley in the north of my constituency, which is a lovely little community and is very busy because the big hospital, Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, is in that area.

“There is a fantastic range of shops that are locally owned and offer that kind of service, experience and specialism.

“That is exactly what a community needs. High streets can be successful if they follow that kind of model.”

Mr McCartney also suggested that Holmfirth town centre could survive alongside the proposed Tesco superstore, at New Mill Road, if they followed Lindley’s example.

He said: “There are big concerns about having an out-of-town supermarket, but on the other hand, as Mary Portas noted in her review, local shops can be successful if they specialise and have experience and service.”