T.G.I. Friday's eyes Telford town centre

It could see American-themed diner T.G.I. Friday's along with other bars, shops and restaurants open in the town centre.

The announcement comes from MP Lucy Allan, who recently met with developers and bosses at Telford Shopping Centre to discuss plans for the town centre.

Ms Allan said bosses had some exciting plans for the shopping centre, which could see the American food chain opening a restaurant in the Southern Quarter, where work has recently started.

The plans would also see the old Asda petrol station on Grange Central demolished to make way for new shops, as well as improvements to the bus station on Coach Central.

The Southern Quarter development follows hot on the heels of the £250 million Southwater project.

Plans for the Southern Quarter, which were approved in November last year, will see five or six restaurants or cafes, totalling 26,500 sq ft, built on the site of the eyesore former Focus store nicknamed the "Green Shed".

Ms Allan said: "I met with management from Telford Shopping Centre, who told me about exciting plans for the future of Telford's town centre.

"The centre has ambitious plans for the Southern Quarter, bringing new cafes, bars, and restaurants to the town, including T.G.I Friday's.

"The shopping centre is also making good progress with the town's new Northern Quarter on the old Asda site, with new retailers being sought to help boost the town's potential to bring in even more visitors.

"Also the clean-up of the site, which will begin soon, will include the removal of the old petrol station, which has become a real eyesore. The Northern Quarter is critical as a gateway to the shopping centre, making it accessible and welcoming. The town centre attracts millions of shoppers every year and I'm keen to see even more people come to the town to shop and see what Telford has to offer. There are also plans to make improvements to the bus station, which is in real need of change to make it more in keeping with the surrounding area."

The announcement comes after hundreds of people signed a petition to save the green space at Southwater. Ms Allan also backed the petition, where residents voiced their concerns over to the complex being over developed.

Tim Binnington, Chairman at Sovereign Land which is managing the redevelopment of the shopping centre on behalf of the owners, said: "The investment that is being made in Telford is very exciting, and we are looking forward to working in conjunction with Telford's MP and the Council with our work at Telford Shopping Centre.

"We have already made significant investment into the shopping centre, to bring new and exciting brands to the town.

"The Southern Quarter development will see a number of new restaurants coming to Telford, and we look forward to announcing these very soon.

"The former ASDA store will also see significant redevelopment, creating a new Northern Quarter which, subject to approval by Telford & Wrekin Council, will offer large, modern stores and transform this part of the shopping centre with a striking new design."