A BOOM town Radcliffe is rapidly becoming a reality with the announcement of yet another massive investment.

Just a week after Cellnet pledged to create 2,000 jobs by siting its regional call centre on Dumers Lane, it has been revealed that pub operators Allied Domecq are to open a £1.5 million bar, restaurant and play centre in the town.

Fifty new jobs will be available at the family-friendly Big Steak Pub on land at Millbank, off Pilkington Way.

And, just as importantly, it will help draw people into the town centre with a possible knock-on effect for shopkeepers.

Besides the bar restaurant - which will feature family eating areas, adult-only areas and non-smoking dining areas - a Wacky Warehouse will be built.

This is a giant indoor children's playbarn filled with play equipment to keep toddlers and children up to nine years old fully entertained.

The company's regional acquisitions manager, Mr Adam Hearld said: "We are keen to increase our presence in the North of England and are confident that the new pub will prove a great addition to the local community."

Building work will begin in the summer and the development is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Councillor Barry Briggs, chairman of Radcliffe Renewal Advisory Committee, said: "We made it clear at the start of 1999 that the year looked like being a busy one for Radcliffe and that there were plenty of surprises in the pipeline. We anticipated many things happening and that is just how it is turning out."

He added: "Some people have been all too eager to talk down Radcliffe in the past as though it was a place with no future. I think that these changes taking place demonstrate that this is not the case."

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