RUMOURS are rife a supermarket giant is set to pump millions of pounds into the ailing Crown Centre and car park.

Owner of the site Modus Alpha Property Partners is remaining tight-lipped about the mammoth plans, which could transform the centre and the town.

Speculation Sainsbury's could move in and the crumbling Bell Street car park could be flattened has this week been the talk of the town.

Pieces of the jigsaw appear to be coming together with traders at Spencers Market anxiously awaiting confirmation Modus is to take over their lease.

And Ramparts skate park, underneath Bell Street car park, is also waiting to hear whether its lease - which runs out next summer - will be renewed.

Dudley Council's John Woodall confirmed he has had a meeting with Modus and said he would welcome plans.

But the assistant director of economic regeneration shed no light on which supermarket is hoping to set up camp in the town because of commercial sensitivities'.

He said: "We would welcome any development proposal for the Crown Centre and the car park.

"We have a particular interest in that and we would look favourably on that from a regeneration point of view."

Mr Woodall said having a supermarket where the Crown Centre is would be consistent with the town centre plan.

He added: "I hope something will be forthcoming in the town in the not too distant future."

Stourbridge MP Lynda Waltho, who had also heard the gossip, said she would welcome any new plans for the underused complex but called for any proposals to be discussed openly with people in Stourbridge.

She said: "Whether or not it is Tesco in Angel Passage site or a Sainsbury's - which it is rumoured to be - this is what Stourbridge needs.

"I understand there are commercial confidences but I think it is about time people in the town were included in part of any consultation."

The outspoken MP said she was keen for plans of its kind to get the go ahead adding: "We all know Stourbridge needs it so lets get going and stop playing games.

"I think I would certainly rather have two supermarkets fighting over Stourbridge than nobody bothering at all."

Meanwhile traders in the Crown Centre have promised it is business as usual until further details of any potential revamp are revealed.