RETAIL giant Debenhams is reviewing all of its new stores following a company takeover - but this will not threaten a town's multi-million redevelopment, say officials leading the project.

RETAIL giant Debenhams is reviewing all of its new stores following a company takeover - but this will not threaten a town's multi-million redevelopment, say officials leading the project.

Debenhams bosses said plans to build a new store in Bury St Edmunds to anchor the Cattle Market scheme were being reviewed after its £1.72billion takeover by the Baroness Retail consortium.

But officials leading the project yesterdayconfirmed that the scheme is still on track after fears that the project could suffer if Debenhams pulled out.

St Edmundsbury borough councillor Frank Warby said: "The cattle market scheme is fully on course to go through as expected.

"It is not clear what Debenhams are doing at the moment, but we hope it still comes to the town. Even if they do pull out it will not be the end of the world.

"The scheme is dependent on an anchor store, which doesn't necessarily have to be Debenhams. As things stand at the moment there is no threat to the cattle market scheme."

Developers Centros Miller, which is leading the project, is confident Debenhams will not pull out of the agreement to build a new anchor store at the Cattle Market site.

Development manager Tony Williams said: "The negotiations are at an advanced stage and we are as sure as we can be that Debenhams will go through with it. As things stand at the moment everything is on course and we have absolutely no reason to believe they will not be proceeding."

Debenhams were chosen instead of local rivals Palmers in the battle for the anchor store, which will be the development's jewel in the crown.

Baroness Retail is now reviewing its position following its takeover of Debenhams.

A Debenhams spokesman said: "Absolutely everything concerned with the business is being reviewed by the new owners. New builds are a top priority and that includes the proposed store in Bury St Edmunds at this we can not say if the Bury store will go ahead or not until we are briefed by the new owners."