LEIGH'S BICC complex has been snapped up in a multi-million pound deal which will see it transformed into a flagship business park and create hundreds of new jobs for the town.

The semi-derelict 325,000sq ft site in West Bridgewater Street has been bought by Manchester-born property magnate Brian Scowcroft who will next week relaunch it under the name of the Bridgewater Business Park.

The sale has been welcomed as great news by Council Leader, Lord Smith of Leigh, and Leigh MP Andy Burnham.

Mr Scowcroft now plans to embark on a building programme which will make a range of accommodation from substantial factory warehouses to small lock-ups available.

There will also be serviced office space with affordable rents and 24 hour security.

The champion charity fund raiser, who helped to set a World Guinness Record for climbing the Five Peaks in June, hails from the family which owned the Swinton Insurance chain, and adds Bridgewater Park to his list of acquisitions.

These include the 300 acre Kingmoor Park site in Carlisle, Crossley Park in Stockport and Jackson Square and Jackson Wharf, a shopping centre with adjoining development land in Bishop's Stortford near Stansted.

He said: "We have been interested in the Leigh site for some time as it has a good location being situated between Liverpool and Manchester and has good access to road, rail and air facilities.

Aspirations

"We are particularly interested in working with Wigan Council and Wigan Investment Centre to integrate our proposals with their aspirations for the town as a whole using various strands of European funding.

"We have already done this very successfully in Carlisle and have so far created 1000 jobs in the process with an overall target of 3500 within 10 years.

"Initially we will be making sure the Leigh site looks the part and raising its profile through intensive marketing."

Lord Smith said: "Wigan Council is delighted to see the prospect of this important site being brought back into active use, creating much needed jobs. We look forward to a long and productive liaison with the Scowcroft Group."

Mr Burnham said: "This is great news which comes at a good time. It is a huge site which if it is redeveloped in the right way could be a real flagship asset for the town.

"It is in the heart of Leigh and will bring a welcome jobs boost."

The site first belonged to the Anchor Cable Company which was established in 1900 and eventually became part of BICC, once one of the biggest employers in town.