GAZETTE: THE manager of Chippenham's Emery Gate Shopping Centre, Brian Poole, has finally resigned from his post.

He was suspended in June amid allegations of financial irregularities but the shopping centre's management company DTZ refused at the time to admit or deny any claims.

At his Studley home this week, Mr Poole said he had reached an agreement with his employers, which resulted in his resignation and his agreement to make no further comment on the situation regarding the suspension.

At the end of June he revealed to the Gazette that DTZ telephoned him on his day off two weeks previously and asked him not to go back into the office.

He added that his suspension was 'unexpected' and that he had received no word from DTZ about the exact substance of the allegations.

Mr Poole often had a bumpy ride since taking over the running of the shopping centre from Bud Wainwright in 2002.

In June 2003, Mr Poole found himself in the line of fire when the centre's owners Lone Eagle gave popular snack seller and florist Salad Select seven days to quit.

Staff and customers staged protests and even presented a petition demanding it be allowed to stay, but the shop was forced to close to make way for a new coffee shop and caf area operated by Boswell's Coffee Shop.

Mr Poole also faced the wrath of Chippenham's elderly and disabled community in September of last year, when he announced that the centre was no longer able to operate the disabled scooter and wheelchair service.

Lone Eagle declined to comment yesterday, and said they would not be releasing a statement until thismorning.