A MULTI-million pound retail and leisure complex is set to replace the old Sainsbury's supermarket in Prestwich by next Easter.

Plans to transform the Longfield Centre into a thriving shopping venue were passed by Bury's planning committee last Thursday (March 14).

Midlands-based development company, Richardsons, which is behind the highly successful Printworks attraction in Manchester, together with MCO Developments, intend to build a health and fitness centre with swimming pool and shopping complex on the site of the disused supermarket.

The developers have told the Bury Times that they are in discussions with a number of High Street retailers but have not yet finalised details.

Simon Miller of MCO Developments said: "Our plans were approved last week and we are progressing nicely. We hope to have some more news within the next three or four weeks."

Mr Miller said they hope to start demolition of the former Sainsbury's store, which has been closed for more than 12 months, by the middle of summer and the project should be completed by Easter next year.

Town hall planners welcomed the plans for Prestwich, yet insisted on a number of conditions, which included the provision of a piece of public art, possibly a water fountain.

Coun Wilf Davison said: "I welcome this particular application and the mixture of uses, particularly the fact that there may be some evening economy use.

"At the Longfield Centre there is currently a lack of that type of attraction. Even though the Longfield Suite itself does hold a lot of council functions, the rest of the centre is dead in the evenings."

He described the development as "attractive" and which would complement some of the other projects in the village.

"I hope that it is a catalyst for the regeneration of the rest of the centre," added Coun Davison.

Coun Warren Flood said he was particularly pleased to see the provision of a swimming pool in the plans, adding: "A swimming pool has been requested by the people of Prestwich for many, many years.

"With the Marks & Spencer store this will help to revitalise Prestwich town centre and make it the thriving centre it should be."