MP IVAN Lewis has called a summit meeting in a bid to break the deadlock over the Longfield Precinct.

The Bury South MP wants its owners and Bury Council to get together as soon as possible to speed up negotiations to revamp the shabby Prestwich shopping centre.

Invitations have been sent out to both parties and members of the town's business forum. Mr Lewis said: "Prestwich residents and business people are frustrated at these protracted negotiations which seem to have been going on for ever. Promises and fine words must now be replaced by positive action.

"While the redevelopment of the precinct is not, by any means, the only issue requiring attention in Prestwich, a modernised village centre would give people a restored sense of pride in their community. It would also act as a catalyst for tackling other social and economic issues."

In 1997 a long-awaited £1.8 million refurbishment scheme for the 27-year-old precinct stalled over plans to relocate the Post Office in the centre. Other sticking points were moving the library upstairs and control of car parking. It was thought that a breakthrough had been achieved last year following a similar summit meeting spearheaded by Mr Lewis. However, the start date for work passed while the company dealt with internal matters and Bury Council negotiated the concessions it would need to make to strike a deal.

Prestwich Business Forum has repeatedly called on both parties to set a deadline for an agreement - and stick to it. Member Mr Harry Johnston has met with council leader Derek Boden to see what can be done to speed things up.

Mr Johnston said: "This has gone on for long enough and there needs to be some timescale put in place so everybody knows where they are going. At the end of the day, if nothing comes out of the proposals at least people will know where they are up to."

A date for the meeting, to be held at Westminster, is to be arranged.

The precinct will also be on the agenda at the next meeting of the Prestwich Area Board on November 11 - open to the public - at Sedgley Park CP School, Kings Road, at 7pm.

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