WHITEFIELD'S only leading supermarket, Kwik Save, is to quit the town.

And store bosses have blamed the state of the blighted Elms Precinct for their decision.

Staff were told of the planned closure, to take place next month, and posters went up to inform shoppers of the news this week.

A spokesman for Kwik Save said: "The store will cease to trade on September 15 and the staff will be made redundant a week later on September 21.

"The landlord of the building has demolished properties on the precinct, leaving us in a rubble site. Kwik Save feel they can no longer operate in that environment."

The store employs four full-time and eight part-time staff but the spokesman said the company would try to place them in other stores if they wish. The nearest Kwik Save stores are in Radcliffe, Blackley and Middleton and the closure means many people will have to travel further afield for their groceries.

One local resident said people were "fuming" about the Elms' latest casualty, adding: "Local people are up in arms about this. There are so many elderly folk around here who used the store. What will they do now?"

She went on: "The precinct was already looking dilapidated but are we to expect Gubay and his bulldozers to move in again?"

The owner of the precinct, multi-millionaire Mr Albert Gubay, currently has a planning application with Bury Council but it is believed he is to submit a revised plan in September via his company, North Western Properties.

Mr Gubay, who, ironically, made his fortune by launching the Kwik Save chain in Prestatynand later selling his share of the company in the 1970s, has left a trail of controversy over his treatment of the precinct and its tenants.

The Kwik Save spokesman added: "It has been a three-year battle to keep hold of the lease but we have been left with no choice and handed back the property.

"It is a regrettable decision as this is one of our older stores."

Tory councillor for the area, Bernie Vincent, criticised the council for "dragging their feet" over the precinct.

He said: "I am disappointed about the news as there are not many facilities in that area, but I can't say I'm surprised. It is like being in the middle of a war zone.

"There are two property developers interested in the site but it has been going on for so long people are fed up with it. The council could have done a lot more a lot sooner, even just tidied it up a bit.

"I am surprised Kwik Save have stayed as long as they have. Some of the blame lies with Gubay himself but I think it has been six of one and half a dozen of the other."

Labour councillor Warren Flood responded: "This is a real body blow for the people of Whitefield. North Western Properties is a private company operating on private land which takes it out of the council's hands.

"But what we will be doing is working with any developers to try and bring facilities back into Whitefield."