CANDIDATE PRESSES FOR ACTION ON "WOOLIES" BUILDING

11.00.00pm GMT Tue 13th Jan 2009

At a meeting last night Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate Stephen Gilbert pressed Restormel Borough Council and the Regional Development Agency over the future of the "Woolies" building in St Austell.

Stephen Gilbert, who was speaking at the penultimate St Austell Area Consultative meeting, said: "Losing Woolworths over Christmas was very sad for St Austell. Like many others who grew up in the town, I have fond memories of shopping there for pick and mix before heading to the cinema."

"However, now that Woolworths is shut we need the Council, the town centre developer and the Regional Development Agency to work together and come up with a plan for the building. The Woolies building is in a prime spot both for Fore Street and for the new town centre development. That said, the building has seen better days and this could be an ideal opportunity to update it."

Responding for Restormel Borough Council, Regeneration Officer Phil Randal said that the Council would look into the issue.