QUESTION marks hang over the future prosperity of the Longfield Centre in Prestwich after Sainsbury's shock decision to close after 20 years.

And we can reveal that Prestwich-born entrepreneur Chris Rustage aims to bid for the site to turn it into a home for asylum seekers.

Staff were told on Monday (Feb 26) that the store would close on Saturday, June 9, after bosses claimed it had been "making a steady loss for several years"."

Store manager Mr Frank Almond, said: "We've looked long and hard at all of the options, attempting to reformat the store in a different way, but in the end we couldn't avoid the very difficult decision to close the store."

It is not known how many of the 138 employees will be made redundant as a result of the closure but Sainsbury's said it was actively seeking jobs for those who wished to work in other Sainsbury's stores.

There will be a 90-day consultation period when counselling and advice on future options will be offered.

A spokesman at Sainsbury's head office in London said: "We are doing our best to make the message as positive as possible but it is still a shock when people receive news like this. We want to try and keep as many employees as possible and there will be a chance to move to other stores, such as the one at Heaton Park and others if they are nearer to where they live.

"Redundancy is a very last option but is obviously one for those who do not wish to be redeployed." Shopper Mrs Margaret Price, of Butterstile Lane, Prestwich, was "disgusted" by the closure and said she felt "let down" by the company that had served the community for 20 years.

She said: "This is the beginning of the end for Prestwich Village as we know it. Something should be done to stop it and I feel disgusted that they are allowing this to happen. We might as well bulldoze Prestwich now."

Ivan Lewis MP has questioned the decision and demanded to see the store accounts for the past three years.

He said: "This is very disappointing news for the Sainsbury's workforce and the Prestwich community. I am particularly concerned because local management has assured me relatively recently that the store is profitable."

Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate Coun Tim Pickstone called for urgent action to secure the future of the Village.

He said: "Bury Council's long delays and uncertainty over the Longfield Centre must have contributed to the store's decision to close. The recent decision to keep the centre in council control has been proved to have been too little and too late."

Concern over the town's future was shared by Prestwich Residents' Association secretary Gillian Boyle who fears the Longfield Centre will end up "like another Elms Precinct".

But council leader Coun Derek Boden promised to press ahead with the Longfield redevelopment despite the Sainsbury's setback.

He said: "I see no reason for the council to back away from its policy of seeking to secure the future of the Longfield Centre. We will have to revisit the policies and see how the details fit in.

"It maybe gives rise to other opportunities, that's the way we've got to look at it."

Honorary secretary of Prestwich Business Forum, Mr John Ardern, remained hopeful despite the crushing news .

He said: "Naturally we all disappointed at Sainsbury's decision to concentrate on their business elsewhere but Prestwich is a constantly developing and evolving community, and there are many other positive aspects and opportunities contributing towards Prestwich's future business development."

One man who has seen an opportunity in the closure is self-made millionaire Mr Rustage (52), who transformed the former Mayfair Cinema into a thriving furniture warehouse.

He said: "One has an eye for an opportunity and I am always on the look-out for landmark buildings."

Mr Rustage said he had an "active" interest in the site and was progressing with enquiries to create a hostel for asylum seekers.

"Every town will have to take its quota and this could be a purpose-built temporary home with facilities for 150 people," he said. "I think it would be good for the community. At the moment it is just speculating but I am very hopeful."

Local businesswoman Celia Aaron, who runs Jill's Dress Shop in Bury Old Road, said she felt so strongly about the closure of Sainsbury's that she has invited people to sign up to a petition objecting to the decision. She can be contacted on 773 0788.