A MULTI-million pound transformation of Farnworth town centre could be completed by next year.

Developers St Modwen announced their plans to open a two-storey shopping parade at the Market Precinct between Brackley Street and King Street by September 2016, at a heated Farnworth area forum meeting.

The plans, if approved, would include 23,000 sq ft building of retail space and a decision is due to be made by March 23.

St Modwen said they were currently in negotiations with a gym and leisure operator and that, if these negotiations are successful, a private gym would be opened on the shopping parade's first floor.

They are also in negotiations with national retail occupiers and are hoping to open four new shops in the parade.

Some residents furiously opposed the plans, saying that Farnworth did not need a new gym facility, while some suggested that the shopping parade would be better used as an NHS facility, due to the recent problems of overcrowding at Royal Bolton Hospital.

Doreen Smith, aged 76, of Brentwood Drive, Farnworth, said: "We don't need a new gym in Farnworth — we have already got a working one at Farnworth Leisure Centre in Brackley Street."

Vivien Cunliffe, aged 68, of Conway Street, Farnworth, added: "Why are you proposing a new gym when there is one just round the corner from the shopping parade?"

Steven Knowles, regional director at St Modwen, said: “The proposed gym in the new scheme would be a different offer to what is provided at the leisure centre.

"We are marketing the scheme to a number of occupiers, which includes conversations with commercial gym operators.” 

David Nuttall, development manager at St Modwen, said: "We either leave the site empty or we speak to an occupier who wants to take up the lease.

"If everything goes to plan and we reach a positive outcome from the planning committee, we should be able to target an opening for September 2016.

"We have a positive view that this planning application will be approved."

Farnworth councillor Noel Spencer took a positive view of the potential development.

He said: "We have seen the decline of Farnworth market over the years and this multi-million pound development of the Brackley Street area is good news all round."

The Farnworth area forum meeting took place at Trinity Church in Market Street.