Forde allowed to keep atrium seating after dispute with Bradford Council

The atrium seating area [Photo: Forde Restaurant]

Forde Restaurant in the Moors Shopping Centre in Ilkley will be allowed to keep its atrium seating following a dispute with Bradford Council, which had previously told the restaurant the seating would have to be removed.

The restaurant had announced plans to activate a break clause in its lease and leave its current premises following the dispute.

Support poured in from local residents, fellow businesses and Ilkley’s MP, Robbie Moore, while the issue also received coverage in local and regional media.

In an update on Thursday evening, Forde announced that it had reached an agreement with Bradford Council allowing it to keep the atrium seating, following negotiations and at an additional cost.

Announcing the news on the restaurant Facebook page, Forde said: "We gave up trying. After exhausting every option to resolve the situation with our atrium seating, we made the difficult decision that was right for our company, our staff and our customers.

"We announced our decision expecting disappointment — but instead, you showed us an incredible amount of love and support. You shared advice, contacted MPs, spoke to the press, visited us, cheered us on and made your voices heard.

"And guess what… YOU DID IT!!!

"The Council heard you, and we’ve been allowed to keep our atrium seating!

"There will be an additional cost, but providing it’s affordable, we can stay exactly where we are and keep the seating as it is.

"We can never thank you enough, so instead, we’re going to do what we do best — get you tipsy! Throughout September, come and enjoy the atrium seating and claim your “thanks-ini” on us!

"From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU. Your support has genuinely changed everything."

Robbie Moore MP commented after the announcement: "So, so pleased for Matt and Holly, and their incredible team at Forde Restaurants that finally, some common sense prevailed from Bradford Council.

"It was lovely to meet them both recently to talk through an absolutely ridiculous decision Bradford Council made just a few weeks ago that Forde’s entire Arcade seating area had to be removed - following a single complaint.

"That decision has now, rightly been reversed and the seating will remain"

The full announcement is on the Forde Facebook page.