A SIGNIFICANT phase of the development of a new retail park in Prescot is due for completion later this year creating 400 new jobs for local people.

The site of the former BICC works, which has been unoccupied for several years will now provide a significant improvement for the area. Knowsley Council, in partnership with developers The Brookhouse Group, will also have the opportunity to establish links between the railway station and the town centre.

A central feature will be a giant Tesco supermarket, scheduled to open in September, which will complement the McDonalds drive-thru which opened at the end of last year.

The Famous Brunswick Warehouse, Poundstretcher and What Everyone Wants have already been signed up and negotiations are at an advanced stage with other retail household names to occupy the varied type of units that will be available.

Councillor Ron Round, chair of Knowsley's Economic Development and Planning Committee, said: "This is excellent news for the people of Prescot and fully illustrates Knowsley Council's continuing commitment to the regeneration of the town centre. The development of Cables Retail Park and the new jobs it will create, complements the regeneration work already undertaken in the town centre which makes Prescot an even more attractive place to live, work and visit."

Enquiries about remaining business units on the Cables Retail Park can be made to messrs. Cheetham and Mortimer on 0161 832 3375, or the Brookhouse Group on 0161 976 6105.