A POPULAR Richmond business, which seemed destined to close within weeks following a row over its lease with the district council, has now been offered another year in the old station on the banks of the River Swale.

However, a stormy meeting of Richmondshire District Council was warned the special licence should not be seen as a U-turn.

Despite numerous expressions of regret, the council's policy remains to develop the area for leisure purposes - regardless of the public outcry prompted by the imminent demise of the Richmond Garden and Farm Supply Centre.

The issue split the council chamber down the middle on Tuesday night. Some lobbied for a change of heart, pointing out that Mike Pattison's business attracted much needed trade to the town.

"A lot of the ill-feeling on this issue may not have happened if the matter had been dealt with in the open," said Councillor John Harris.

"The secrecy which has surrounded the matter has not been a good thing. Secrecy breeds mistrust," he said.

Councillor Paul Cullen also questioned if a private developer would still be interested in opening a leisure operation in the building, when the district council has already committed itself to new sports facilities in Catterick Garrison and the secondary schools in Richmond and Leyburn.

However, chief executive Harry Tabiner emphasised that, far from being concocted in secret, the leisure policy for the old station was agreed by the whole council as part of the Local Plan process - and then only after extensive consultation with the public.

He also reiterated it was Mr Pattison who had given notice to quit, even though his rights as a tenant allowed him to renew the lease if he wished.

However, Mr Tabiner also confirmed Mr Pattison has been offered an opportunity to carry on trading for another year - a compromise accepted by most councillors at Tuesday's meeting.

A motion was passed recognising council officers dealing with the issue had only acted on instructions given by the authority's committees.

The resources committee also agreed all correspondence between the authority and Mr Pattison should be circulated to interested district councillors, allowing them to make up their own minds over whether the council has acted properly in the matter