Brian PooleGAZETTE & HERALD: EMERY Gate shopping centre manager Brian poole is believed to have been suspended from his job.

Mr Poole, who took over the running of the centre from Bud Wainwright in 2002, is believed to have been suspended on full pay pending the results of an investigation by Emery Gate's management company DTZ.

The Gazette understands Mr Poole who has been, uncontactable for a week, was called in to attend at the centre yesterday.

Staff who had tried to reach Mr Poole by e-mail had them returned to them unopened. The Gazette has tried to contact Mr Poole all week but he has been unavailable.

A DTZ spokesman Russ King refused to comment on whether Mr Poole has been suspended.

"As far as I know, he is still employed by the company, he said.

Mr Poole has often had a bumpy ride since taking over the running of the shopping centre.

In Christmas 2003, he came under fire when he withdrew the popular Santa's grotto.

In June 2003, Mr Poole found himself in the line of fire again 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.

After three months the vehicles were eventually transported to Borough Parade shopping precinct. The service is being operated from there.

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