A £3.6m scheme to revive a rundown shopping centre is being given a lukewarm welcome by businesses.

Threadneedle Properties, which leases the Bury Street shopping precinct, in Abingdon, has presented the Chamber of Commerce with the same design the Vale of White Horse District Council rejected in July.

Now businesses say Threadneedle's plans are better than no refurbishment at all, but described them as "cosmetic".

Kevin Clare, the chamber's president, said: "Although we felt the proposals were rather cosmetic, they were a considerable improvement on the precinct's existing look." The plans includes replacing concrete canopies above shops with glass and improving the precinct's entrance. A second phase would enlarge the shops.

The district council turned down the plans in July, describing them as unimaginative.

Council officers said the scheme was bad for taxpayers, because Threadneedle wanted a new deal on its lease - without promising to go beyond the first phase of the multi-million pound redevelopment.

Terry Stock, Vale chief executive, said Threadneedle wanted to pay a reduced rent on shops which became empty and had not guaranteed to complete the refurbishment. He said: "It is asking taxpayers to provide an effective subsidy to Threadneedle with no guaranteed payback. That is completely unacceptable." Graham Paskett, Threadneedle's spokesman, said: "We wanted to let businesses see for themselves what had been rejected. Clearly our tenants are of prime concern and we want to ensure the precinct is a viable shopping centre.

"The £3.6m would have been met entirely by Threadneedle."

*Threadneedle Properties is now being invited to meet the council staff and leaseholders in a bid to break the deadlock.

Story date: Friday 24 December

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