Plans to give east Melksham an economic boost were displayed at the Town Hall on Wednesday as part of a public consultation event.

The proposal being submitted by Guildhall Estates and Pega-sus Planning Group, features a Morrisons Local, a Marstons pub and five other retail units as well as 16 apartments.

The retail centre, being built off Cranesbill Road, aims to aid new residential developments being built in east Melksham.

Andy Radford, Guildhall Estates development manager, said: “This development is designed to serve the local community and it’s important the public have a chance to have their say on the proposals.”

The plans are expected to be submitted to Wiltshire Council in the new year and if they are accepted, the development could be open in the spring of 2015.

The new retail centre will be in the patch of Wiltshire and Melksham Without Councillor Terry Chivers and he is very supportive of the project.

He said: “I welcome this as the centre is something that people have been calling for. It will bring jobs. I’m supportive of the pub being part of the centre but we have to be cautious it does not take trade away from other establishments.”

The proposed pub will be the second new drinking establishment to be built on the edge of the town.

Work has already started on brewer Hall and Woodhouse’s new premises on Commerce Way, off the A350, which is expected to be opened by June 2014, creating 30 jobs in the town.

The site of the new proposed retail centre also has space for a neighbouring doctors’ surgery and developers would consider putting plans forward to build it in the future if there was demand for one.

Cllr Chivers said: “That will be considered as an option and I think it would ease the load for Melksham’s other surgeries.”

To comment about the proposed retail centre, email melksham@pegasuspg.co.uk. The deadline for feedback is Monday, December 16.