MONTHS of speculation came to an end when the Old Town's Kwik Save development was signed and sealed this week.
Work on the centre piece for town centre redevelopment will begin in the next couple of weeks, concluding a saga which has lasted for more than a year.
The project will see Kwik Save's existing Old Town store relocating to a bigger, 'new-style' supermarket in Church Street. A Direct Link one-stop shop will be built as well as a hall for market traders. Smaller retail units for new outlets will be created within the Kwik Save building, which is due for completion within six months.
The news was welcomed by shopkeepers in and around Church Street, who have waited for confirmation of the new development since last September when work was originally due to begin.
Gary Shaw, manager of Sherwin's Butchers on Church Street, said: 'I'm absolutely over the moon, this is brilliant news for the town. Let's hope it will bring new people to the Old Town and acts as a catalyst to attract other businesses to the area.'
A spokesman for the super-market chain said: 'Kwik Save is delighted to bring the town of Runcorn a new and extended store with improved facilities, new buildings and a wider range of goods and services.'
But other traders gave the news a more cautious welcome.
'I'm pleased of course, but it's about time,' said Michelle Evans, owner of Bridgewater News on High Street and Sandwich Express on Regent Street.
'After what the council has fed us so far, I think I'll believe it when I see it as bricks and mortar.'
And Curiosity Bookshop's Liz Howard said: 'I'm delighted something is happening at last but I'm also disappointed that it is a relocation only rather than a whole new supermarket chain.'
But neither felt the supermarket would improve their trade unless it encouraged other retailers to set up in the Old Town.
'A new Kwik Save won't bring new people into the town, they've already got their customer base here. What we need is new retail shops - and no more takeaways or service sector outlets,' said Liz.
Cllr Rob Polhill, who has been instrumental in work to secure the Kwik Save deal, said: 'I am delighted that negotiations have finally ended in success for the Old Town. We have been working very hard for a long time to secure this contract, and now I hope all the efforts pay off.'
