CREWE'S transformation into a modern shopping centre has moved a step closer as councillors gave the green light to the major proposals last week.

The multi-million pound scheme would see the building of a modern bus station, a flagship Debenhams store along with new shops, bars and restaurants.

The project aims to boost the town's retail pulling power with a range of three and four-storey buildings featuring stores on the lower levels and apartments above.

The plans involve a new, partly covered, pedestrianised high street running through the scheme to the new bus station.

The decision to approve the plans, which was taken at a meeting of the full council last week, has been welcomed by borough council leader Brian Silvester.

He said: "It is a major step for the town and it is going to completely transform the centre of Crewe.

"It will become one of the major shopping centres in the area and as well as attracting new visitors to the town it will mean a much bigger range of shops and a better shopping experience for residents.

"It will also attract more investment into Crewe, we know that having a good shopping centre is one of the key things people look for.

"Crewe is doing really well at the moment, the town is booming with 700 jobs created every year.

"The building work will go on for three or four years and we are aware of this and will be doing our best to keep the disruption to a minimum.

"We will be looking to keep all the existing shops and the market going while the work is going on.

"We are also aware that the development will have an effect on the road system and there is money in the budget to pay for a full traffic survey."