THE long-awaited redevelopment of dilapidated Partington shopping centre has hit a major obstacle, Messenger can reveal.

Developer Peel Holdings had earmarked a Co-op supermarket as the anchor store in the revamp of the mall - the centrepiece of multi-million pound plans to regenerate the area.

There have been protracted negotiations between the Co-op and Peel - and Messenger understands these have now stalled, with the Co-op insisting it is not prepared to consider anything other than occupying a unit the size of a convenience store.

Now Peel is believed to be preparing to submit a revised planning application. This will change the plans from including an anchor store block occupied by two shops, to an anchor block with three occupiers.

Stretford and Urmston MP Kate Green said she was 'very concerned' about the situation.

The importance Peel attaches to having an anchor store in the development was revealed at a Trafford planning committee meeting in July, when it successfully objected to a plan for a new convenience store near to the Partington shopping centre.

The property giant told the planning committee the anchor store it was negotiating with to come to the centre would refuse to do so if a competing store opened nearby.

It was claimed this would have a knock-on effect of deterring shops from coming to the other units, and also hit major residential plans. This house-building scheme, the 'Partington Village;' is for up to 550 new homes.

Ms Green said of the hold-up to the shopping centre revamp: "These reports are very concerning.

"People in Partington have waited long enough for a decent town centre.

"Residents are desperate to see their neighbourhoods revived. They want to shop locally and contribute to local businesses. Peel and the council need to act fast to allay residents' concerns and ensure the town centre is completed as quickly as possible.”

John Jones, the vice chairman of Positive Partington Partnership, a tenants' and residents' association, said: "The people of Partington deserve a decent retail offering. We have been fobbed off for many years now.

"We have a great future for the village - but something has to happen now."

A spokesperson for the Co-operative Food - which has a store that is currently trading in the Partington centre - said: “We are aware that the landlord of the precinct in Partington is going to redevelop the existing site. We cannot comment on speculation, but our store in the precinct remains open and is trading as usual.”

Peel Holdings did not comment about the situation.

'Lidl could be centre saviour'

THE Positive Partington Partnership (PPP) has come up with own plan to kickstart the redevelopment of Partington shopping centre.

The tenants and residents association is inviting Lidl to come to the mall.

The invitation for Lidl to be the anchor store in a revamped shopping centre comes just weeks after the supermarket chain's plans to open a store in Broadheath were refused by Trafford's planning committee.

PPP points out that a Partington store would be serving a population of 7,000, which is set to increase when housing developments are completed.

PPP is also contacting developer Peel about its proposal.

PPP is a tenants' and residents' association which represents the people of Partington and Carrington. it meets on the first Tuesday of each month at St George's Rooms, to the rear of St Mary’s Church, Partington. Further details are available from the secretary at positivepartingtongroup@hotmail.co.uk