£20m project to boost town centre

HUNDREDS of jobs are to be created after a multi-million pound scheme to transform a town centre was approved.

The development in Congleton will include a new 5,400 square metre (58,200 sq ft) food store, a 96-room hotel and six shop units.

The plans also feature a new market with a total of 47 indoor and outdoor stalls, a new public square and improved pedestrian links to other areas in the town. There is also provision for 241 parking spaces.

Work on the £20 million project is expected to begin early next year and will take around 15 months to complete.

Damian Flood, of Scarborough Development Group (SDG), which is behind the plans, said: "This redevelopment will revitalise the town centre and provide a boost for residents and visitors."

However, traders warned there was no need for a new hotel.

SDG submitted a planning application to Cheshire East Council after it bought the three-acre site, between Mill Street and Princess Street, from Modus Congleton (Number One), when that firm went into administration last year.