NEW jobs will be created in Radcliffe with the announcement that a supermarket will be coming to the town.

Bury Council leader Mike Connolly confirmed at last week’s full council meeting that a bid has been accepted for former bus station site.

At this stage, however, the identity of the retailer remains a closely guarded secret.

The scheme marks the latest step in the council’s regeneration plan for the town centre, with a new bus station under construction opposite the old site in Dale Street.

Work on the supermarket is scheduled to get under way early next year with the opening likely in 2017, subject to the necessary planning permission being granted.

Cllr Connolly said: “The Radcliffe scheme will lead to an exciting redevelopment which will not only improve this part of Radcliffe but we intend that it will act as a catalyst for other exciting leisure schemes in the surrounding area.

“When we launched the Radcliffe Masterplan, people were sceptical and said we weren’t serious about investing in Radcliffe. Well, those people were wrong. We are now well on our way to delivering on our promises.

“The Market Hall has had a superb upgrade, the new bus station is on target for a Christmas 2015 opening, we have worked with Dunelm to bring 200 new jobs to the town and now we are on track to deliver a new food store.

“The Labour group has truly kept its promises to the people of Radcliffe that we would regenerate the town. And that’s exactly what we are doing.”

Speaking to the Radcliffe Times on Tuesday, he added: “At the moment, I can’t say who it is. But once all the contract and legal work is done, we will be issuing a statement. It will mean new jobs being created in Radcliffe but I don’t know how many."

The project is the third phase in the regeneration scheme for the town centre, which began with the £1million upgrade of Radcliffe Market.

The market redevelopment, which was completed in December, was then followed by work on the new bus station, which it is hoped will be completed later this year.

When work on the new bus station began, it was announced that the plan was to develop the old site into shops, a supermarket, a ground level car park off Pilkington Way, and a pedestrian area.

At the time, the council were seeking a partner to begin the redevelopment in early 2016.