Town redevelopment 'under threat'

The £200m regeneration of Swindon's town centre is under threat, the BBC has learned.

Work to build a new shopping centre on the Regent Place site has not started and a similar scheme in Wakefield has been halted half way through.

In a statement developers Modus said, like other UK companies, it had been affected by the recession.

"We are considering options for delivering the project and are in talks with Swindon Borough Council," it said.

I do believe this scheme will go ahead, the momentum the town's regeneration has created isn't going to be easily stopped Council leader Rod Bluh

Council leader Rod Bluh said he remained positive about the project but confirmed it would not happen in the short term.

"Clearly there is a problem, the recession is having a major effect and none of these schemes are going to move ahead without finance," he said.

"This scheme is long-running even if we got the go-ahead today you wouldn't start before 2011 because of the work that needs to be done.

"I do believe this scheme will go ahead, the momentum the town's regeneration has created isn't going to be easily stopped."

The Regent Place development promises a new Debenham's store and 40 other new stores into the centre of the town.

At present the land is used for the Granville Street car park.