A TWO-storey leisure and shopping complex is to be built on the old Sainsbury's site in Prestwich.

The former Longfield Centre supermarket has been sold seven months after it closed for an undisclosed sum to the company behind the popular Printworks leisure development in Manchester.

Midlands-based Richardsons have joined forces with MCO Developments, from London, to transform the vacant building into a thriving shopping centre and possibly a health and fitness centre.

The developers claim Prestwich does not live up to its shopping potential and are hoping to attract leading high street names to the venture.

There is also scope for inclusion of a selection of bars and restaurants.

Mr Lee Richardson of Richardson Developments said: "The existing retail provision in Prestwich is poor and does not meet the requirements of the local shoppers. "Our proposals together with the new Marks and Spencer store and the initiatives of Bury Council will create a considerable transformation and revitalise the area."

His colleague, Mr Simon Miller, of MCO Developments, who are responsible for major developments at Aston Villa Football Club, said he had confidence in the future of Prestwich.

"Obviously we have confidence in the area or we would not have chosen to invest," he said, "We will be working to improve the retail offer in Prestwich but as we have just acquired the site, we have yet to discuss who the occupiers will be.

"It could be fashion, anything. There could be bars and restaurants but we really don't know at this stage."

He said a detailed planning application was expected to be submitted to Bury Council next week for approximately 27,000 sq ft for retail and 29,000 sq ft on the first-floor for leisure/retail.

Early indications show the company is considering a health and fitness club for the first-floor but these proposals have not been finalised.

Council Leader, Coun John Byrne, said he was delighted Richardsons had decided to invest in Prestwich, adding: "We see Richardson's proposals as another significant step towards the total regeneration of Prestwich town centre, something which we as a council are 100 per cent committed to achieving.

"Richardson are a national retail and leisure developer and are known for their ability to perform."

Prestwich Area Board chairman Coun Gill Campbell said it was "great news" and added that she believed the council's investment in improving the Longfield Centre had been instrumental in increasing the level of interest from developers.

Ivan Lewis MP said he was also "delighted" by the news and looked forward to seeing the detailed application.

The proposals mean demolition of the existing building. Mr Mike Williams, of Prestwich Pharmacy, who was a tenant of Sainsbury, said he was in negotiations with Richardsons "to secure the future" of his business.

He said: "At this stage the future of the pharmacy is uncertain."