PLANS for another super-pub in Preston's town centre have been thrown out by angry councillors, who claim they have been duped.

Brewery giant Scottish and Newcastle had applied to open the Rat and Parrot pub inside the front of the revamped St George's Shopping Centre.

The unit the firm had chosen - which St George's owners Legal and General said has been marketed unsuccessfully to retail clients - is the most prominent in the new £23 million development, and is visible from Ringway.

But councillors have thrown out the proposals, saying they gave permission for the centre because they thought it would be used for shopping.

The councillors, who met on Preston's planning committee last week, have told St George's to attract a shop to take the unit.

Councillor Albert Richardson was among several in opposition.

He said: "It is like we have been conned. This is supposed to be a shopping centre.

"We already have too many pubs, clubs and takeaways and we certainly don't need another one in such a prominent place with such a daft name.

"I think we have been misled."

The town's chamber of trade also objected to the plans. Like the councillors, they said such a prominent site, which will effectively act as a gateway to the shopping district, should hold a big-name retailer.

Coun Ken Hudson added: "I find it hard to believe there isn't a major store willing to move in. It wouldn't be right to put a pub in there."

Legal and General say that as long as 90 per cent of the units are taken up by shops then the planning consent for the shopping centre is still valid.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.