A GOVERNMENT planning inspector will decide the future of Warrington town centre after a public inquiry for two multi-million pound developments drew to a close.

Nicholas Freeman is writing up a report after hearing three weeks of evidence at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

The Winwick Partnership put forward its case for the derelict area opposite Warrington Central station.

It wants to build a cinema complex with more than 600 apartments, shops, offices and a health centre.

But Big Apple argued that its blueprints for Time Square, including another cinema, restaurants, cafes and bars and revamped links and entrances to Warrington Market, should be given approval.

Warrington Borough Council has already approved both of the schemes, but it is expected only one will get the thumbs up.

Colin Daniels, chief executive of Warrington Chamber of Commerce, thinks both schemes could benefit the town.

But Alan Lesbirel, who owns Glitz, a giftware, furniture and soft furnishings store opposite Warrington Market, believes only one will get approval and if that is the case, it has to be the Times Square site.

He said: "We have been here 10 years and we have noticed a gradual downturn in footfall.

There are quite a few empty units now in the area and not only in the market.

"The market is becoming more and more empty by the year and it needs money spending on it.

"It is wrong to redevelop a derelict site at the cost of a site that needs redevelopment to save jobs.

"It is moving one derelict site to another and if that decision goes ahead, God knows what is going to happen to the people working here."

The final decision lies in the hands of Ruth Kelly, the first Secretary of State for the newly formed Department for Communities and Local Government. It is expected within 10 weeks.