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Superstore lifeline for ailing precinct

25/10/2001

A MULTI-MILLION pound investment plan involving a major supermarket could help seal the future of struggling Salford Shopping City.

It's been revealed that land close to the precinct in Fitzwarren Street has been earmarked for development and could accommodate a massive 8,000 sq mtr store with associated petrol station, a secure service yard and ample car parking.

If agreed, the proposal would signal the closure and re-location of two schools, St James' RC Primary and New Croft High, and may throw the future of Salford Methodist Church into doubt.

The site has been identified as an ideal supermarket location by the council which is willing to consider any proposals put to them.

Salford Shopping City has suffered a catalogue of blows in recent months with Marks and Spencer abandoning the precinct along with WH Smith and Going Places.

The announcement was made at a meeting of the Kersal, Charlestown and Pendleton community committee on Tuesday night where planning bosses stressed the proposal was vital for the survival of the precinct.

Planning community link officer, Brian Enright, said: "Salford's shopping centre is the only one of the four centres in the city that doesn't have a major food retailer. If something isn't done quickly the future of it may be in jeopardy."

Shopping City manager Les Rylance, who welcomes the proposal, stressed the importance of the precinct and any new developers working hand in hand.

He said: "I think if it's integrated with the shopping centre it will be of benefit to us and the whole area."

Meanwhile, education bosses and the Catholic Diocese insist pupils attending schools on the site will benefit from closure as brand new replacement schools will be built.

Education chief Mark Carriline explained:

"We have known about these plans for a considerable time. We already have plans to replace New Croft High with a new high school in Ellesmere Park.

"Salford Diocese is consulting about building a new primary school in the Seedley and Langworthy regeneration area to replace St James' and All Soul's, which will be amalgamated."