THE manager of Chippenham's Emery Gate Shopping Centre, Brian Poole, has admitted he has been suspended amid allegations of financial irregularities.

Rumours that he had been suspended swept across the centre two weeks ago, but the shopping centre's management company DTZ refused to admit or deny the claims.

But yesterday at his home in Studley Mr Poole confirmed that the rumours were true.

He revealed that DTZ telephoned him on his day off two weeks ago and asked him not to go back into the office. He added that his suspension was 'unexpected' and that he has received no word from DTZ about the exact substance of the allegations.

"Of course I'm disappointed," he said. "I'm now waiting for further communication from them."

But bewildered shopkeepers at Emery Gate say they have received no official explanation from DTZ for Mr Poole's sudden departure.

One tenant said: "At first I found it difficult to believe, but I'm not surprised, these things happen in retail all the time, but they always get found out.

"In the past there have been all sorts of rumours flying about.

"If he has been suspended for this long it must be something quite serious.

"But we haven't been told anything, we have got no manager, no explanation and no idea what's going on."

DTZ spokesman Russ King revealed that Mr Poole is still working for the company, but declined to make any comment on his suspension or the company's investigation.

Mr Poole has 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.

Then in Christmas 2003 Mr Poole upset customers when he withdrew the popular Santa's grotto.

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.

After three months the vehicles were eventually transported to Borough Parade shopping precinct.

The service is being operated from there.

One trader said: "There are lots of hushed conversations going on.

"It's so secretive, but I expect us traders will be the last to know what's happening because we only work here.

"It's the independent businesses I feel sorry for If it's rent money that has gone missing, because they have much slimmer profit margins."

Another added: "If he's been suspended and he's been investigated so be it.

"What I don't like is having to pay his wages and not be told by the landlords or their agents what's going on.

"I would describe the running of the centre as an absolute joke."

Emery Gate was opened in 1986 and is owned by property developers Lone Eagle.