TWO businessmen claim they will lose thousands of pounds because they have been ordered off their premises in Radcliffe by Bury Council.

Some traders in the "Stonepits" area of Quarry Street and Bridgefield Street fear their livelihoods are under threat because of a compulsory purchase order (CPO) imposed by the council.

The council is about to submit the CPO to Whitehall for final approval so it can develop the land to provide a boost for the wider community.

In total, the council wants to buy 1869.5 sq. metres of land and it is believed it then wants to offer it for possible use as housing, non-food retail outlets, a car showroom and a health/medical centre. But Mr Brian Leach, owner of B and C Motors, is angry about the possible effect it will have on his business.

He said: "I've built up a good clientele, do good business and all my customers know that I'm based here.

"I have had the workshop and garage for six years and during that time I have spent around £5,000 on fencing and securing the compound. If I'd have known I was going to be compulsory purchased I would not have invested my money and would have located the business in Bury instead."

Mr Leach said the council originally offered him alternative premises at Bradley Fold, but later withdrew it and since then there has been no further offers.

"I'm very unhappy," he said.

Fellow trader Gary Rathmill, who has been operating GTE motor vehicle repairs since 1986, is "disgusted" by the proposals.

He owns his building and has pumped £9,000 of his own money into the site for which he pays a peppercorn rent.

"The council has only offered me £12,000 in compensation and although they said I could have a site behind The Turf pub, it would only be rent free for 14 months and after that it would cost £80 a week. It's disgusting. I'm not greedy, I just want to be treated reasonably and fairly."

A council spokesman said: "The area concerned is one of a number that have been or are being tackled through the Radcliffe Renewal Initiative. The aim is to put together parcels of land of a size which can then be used for developments to improve the appearance of the locality while at the same time, where possible, providing additional resources for the community."

He added: "Discussions have taken place with all parties concerned to try and reach agreement. However, it is important for Radcliffe as a whole that schemes like this are not allowed to stall or stagnate."

Some units on the land to be bought out, such as Dreams Health Club, are already empty.