Ambitious plans to demolish and rebuild a £3m garden and antiques centre on the “gateway to Harrogate” in Yorkshire have been unveiled.

An application has been submitted to council planners to demolish the existing Harrogate Antiques Centre on the A61 Leeds Road in Pannal.

The two-year plan, which owners have revealed will cost £3m, would see a striking new building created in its place to house the hugely popular garden and antiques centres.

The development would allow for the creation of a ‘Victorian Street’ complete with traders and shops, restaurant overlooking the Crimple Valley and an outdoor courtyard area.

“We want to offer something different right here in Harrogate,” said owner Graham Watson, who purchased Brookside Nurseries last January and the antiques centre the October before.

“The antiques centre is a big draw - there’s 50 businesses in there and more than 20,000 cars pass every day - but it’s in a dilapidated building.

“This is the gateway to Harrogate. It’s vitally important that we create something special here to give people a positive first impression.”