RESORT leaders hope a declining area of Blackpool will be revitalised with the new ownership of two prime vacant sites.

Sales are said to be imminent on both the Kwiksave supermarket (formerly Food Giant) and the Odeon Cinema, just 100 yards apart in Dickson Road.

Alison Birkett, spokeswoman for Kwiksave's parent company Somerfield, said: "We're very close to exchanging contracts, probably by the end of this week, with a non-food retailer. It is not going to be a supermarket but it is likely to remain a shop."

And Tony Lawton of Donaldsons estate agency, handling the Odeon sale, said: "An offer has been accepted on the building. A completion date has not been set yet but I would hope it would be in August."

The Art Deco-style cinema - vacated in December when Odeon opened a new multiplex in Rigby Road - is protected as a Grade 2 listed building and the new owners would have to work within the existing structure.

But Mr Lawton remained tight-lipped as to the buyer or its likely future use - possibilities include a nightclub or other entertainment venue or even a conference centre.

At least three other bidders were said to have been in the running for the £500,000 site.

The Kwiksave store, vacated in May when Somerfield opened a new store off Lytham Road, also includes a multi-storey car park heavily used by town centre shoppers and handy for the former Odeon.

The developments were welcomed by Blackpool Council leader Ivan Taylor and town centre manager Nigel Hanson, who said: "There's obviously a lot of interest in Blackpool as a venue for business openings. Dickson Road has been going downhill a bit and I hope whatever opens will act as a major opportunity for rejuvenating the area and achieve the maximum benefit for the town centre from these two important sites, both in close proximity to public transport."

Coun Taylor - ward councillor for this stretch of Dickson Road - said: "It's a good sign for that area and it shows there's still interest in people investing in Blackpool town centre which is what we want to encourage.

"Obviously we want to bring the buildings back into use as soon as possible. I'm glad Kwiksave will presumably remain in retail use though I'm sorry it won't be a foodstore.

"A lot of people who live near the town centre will badly miss a food outlet there, but that's outside the council's control."

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