THE part owner of a former mill who agreed a deal to sell the site to Tesco has spoken of his shock after discovering the deal may fall through.

Tesco had applied to put up a store at the Adams Food Ingredients plant, in Prince Street, and neighbouring Tattons Mill, in Buxton Road, Leek.

However, the plans were dashed when Hawkstone Properties bought the Adams factory.

Now Robert Thorneycroft, who partly owns the redundant mill, claims he has been sold down the river.

He said: "We came under pressure from Adams to sign with Tesco and the agreement had been finalised. It was a joint approach.

"Then out of the blue the carpet was pulled from beneath us when we heard Hawkstone had purchased the Adams plant.

"I was shocked to say the least."

The Post & Times revealed last week that Tesco still hopes to build a store on the site claiming the sale to Hawkstone was not a done deal.

Rumours have spread that Hawkstone is affiliated with Sainsbury's which has lodged an application to build a store at the Churnet Works in Macclesfield Road. Sainsbury's has, however, denied any links.

A spokesman said: "We are not aware of any connections between Sainsbury's and Hawkstone Properties."

Meanwhile, councillors have been brainstorming "more appropriate" town centre locations for a new supermarket.

County, district and town councillor, Steve Povey, has suggested the Smithfield Centre, in Haywood Street, and the White Lion pub, in Ashbourne Road, could be redeveloped for a supermarket.

Mr Povey said: "If done properly it would regenerate a rundown part of town and sit in with Cromwell Terrace. A car park could be built underground and the businesses could be relocated at empty units around the town.

"I believe the Adams and Tatton Mill site should be retained for employment."

Leek Chamber of Trade and Commerce has backed calls for a supermarket in the town centre.

A spokesman said: "We would welcome any form of town centre development as long as it is handled as a sympathetic, staged development. Depending on the scale of store required, the Smithfield site is a strong contender as it would be possible to incorporate either above or below store parking and enable a re-modelled bus station to be incorporated too."

More than 2,000 people have now signed a Save Our Leek petition calling for a supermarket to be built in the town centre to protect traders.

The campaign was launched after Tesco and Sainsbury's both submitted planning applications within days. Richard Wilson, who is spearheading the campaign, said: "We have been overwhelmed by the level of support."

The next Save Our Leek meeting will be held at the Swan Hotel, in St Edward Street, Leek, from 6pm on Tuesday.