EXCITING new plans for the expansion and modernisation of Burnley's shopping centre are set to be unveiled by its new owners.

And Stannifer Developments is hoping to transform the former Co-op site in Curzon Square into a gateway to the town centre as part of the scheme.

The re-development plans for the two shopping centres are to be detailed by Stannifer executives tomorrow but traders in the town centre are already hoping they will bring with them new shops and more customers.

The leader of Burnley Borough Council, Coun Stuart Caddy, welcomed the news and also praised the work of the previous owners Great Portland Estates, who revamped Burnley's main shopping areas.

He said: "I think it is wonderful news, if that is the case. We would welcome any expansion, it would be welcomed by everybody."

Peter Pike MP said: "I don't know what stage the bidding is at for the former Co-op site but I would obviously want to see the site back in use. It has stood idle for quite a while now.

"I regret that the Co-op couldn't make a success of it and I regret that there is no Co-op store in the town centre. If Stannifer are developing the town centre to make it more attractive that can only be a good thing."

Stannifer, an international development and investment group based in Stratford-upon-Avon, South African investment company Corovest and Bank of Scotland Corporate Banking, jointly bought Curzon Street and Charter Walk retail centres last year.

Former owners, Great Portland Estates, decided to sell up after their board made a decision to concentrate on properties in London.

The Charter Walk shopping centre was originally opened in 1969 and currently has 92 shops, covering 43,570 square metres of retail space.

The centre will be managed by Stannifer Corovest Fund Management, and will continue to be run by the centre's manager, Andrew Walker.

Ron Barrott, chairman and chief executive of Stannifer hinted that there may be plans to change the layout or even expand Burnley's town centre.

He said: "We are currently reviewing opportunities for improving the centre, including modernisation and expansion potential. However, at this early stage, nothing has been decided and we look forward to discussing the possibilities with shoppers, retailers and neighbours.

"We also anticipate working alongside Burnley Borough Council to ensure that Charter Walk continues to play a valuable role in the commercial life of Burnley town centre."

Paul Blythe, a development officer for Stannifer said: "We are looking to make improvements to both sites. We have been working hard on our master plan. The basic thing is thatthere is some excellent demand from multiple retailers who want to come in.

"Because of that we have been looking at meeting those demands." "We have identified the former Co-op site in Curzon Square as a way of creating a gateway into the town."

Fiona McKnight, 26, who works in her dad's shop Donald Smith butchers, in the market hall, said: "It sounds like a good idea to modernise Burnley.

"We could do with a department store or something like that."