SHOPPERS in Tamworth could soon be flocking to a massive new retail centre called the Tamworth Junction.

Manchester-based developer Henry Boot wants to build the shopping centre on the site of the Gungate Precinct and has given the proposed centre this working name while it tries to entice high street shops to get on board with the scheme.

This will be seen as good news for the town following the recent closure of Woolworths as a result of the economic downturn.

But the scheme is still in the early stages. It has yet to receive planning permission, although Tamworth Borough Councillors are already on record as saying they would back town centre retail schemes.

And as yet, it is not know whether any major high street retailers are on board.

A spokesperson for the borough council said: "The application is still at its early stages and we are currently in the process of consulting on the impact of the scheme with local residents, businesses and statutory bodies.

"If everything is in place our aim would be to make a report to the planning committee in February."

* Tamworth Herald, January 8, 2009, edition.