A CONSTRUCTION firm manager involved in the Nelson town centre development has admitted the job will be completed later than planned.

Contracts manager Glen Wilson, who took over the job at Christmas, was invited to a meeting of the Nelson Committee to answer councillors' questions on the £4million redevelopment of the Place du Creil.

He told the committee that brickwork had begun and the job was now expected to be complete by September 3, rather than in July as originally planned.

He explained that the delay in completing the extension to the Pendle Rise Centre, owned by Manchester-based developers Modus, was due to a longer than expected time taken to move a water main before foundations could be built.

The development has attracted criticism from residents, traders, and councillors, who claim shoppers are staying away from the town centre.

Questioned by Councillor Sonia Robinson, Mr Wilson admitted that two of the site staff had left the company, as well as his predecessor, but assured councillors that staff were now in place who were expected to stay until the project was completed.

He added that he had tried to respond to concerns raised with him as quickly as possible.

He also told councillors that while deliveries to the site were not made at specific times, the company had restricted them coming through the market place between 10am and 4pm.

Coun Robinson also asked whether the company felt it was providing adequate access for disabled shoppers and Mr Wilson said he was not aware of any problems.