Ref. 26261-21THE NEWS was met with disappointment from the firm charged with revamping the town centre.

Rosemary Wells, of The New Swindon Company, said that the race will now be on to find another developer.

Under plans being drawn up, the town would be split up into seven development zones.

This latest blow is likely to force bosses into rethinking their model for the area of the town centre known as The Hub.

In a promotion booklet, the firm states: "The proposed extension to the Brunel Centre will be an important step forward in improving our shopping and leisure facilities."

But Mrs Wells said that her team is determined not to let the decision throw a spanner into the works.

"This is disappointing news but changes like this will always happen that's life," she said.

"A lot of good work has already been done and the overall direction will not change.

"Westfield Shopping Towns Ltd have co-operated very well with us.

"But the potential is now there to work closely with the new purchaser and we look forward to doing that."