PARISH council chairman Dilys Hooper said she is “absolutely thrilled” that Weaver Vale Garden Centre will not be making way for a Morrisons supermarket.

Rumours have been circulating in recent months that the garden centre in Winnington Lane, Winnington, which is part of the Strikes group, could become a Morrisons.

The centre is owned by the Klondyke Group, whose chief executive this week refuted any suggestion that the company was considering disposing of the centre to Morrisons.

He said the centre was very successful, and the company was planning to carry out further investment in the centre in the near future.

Cllr Hooper is chairman of Barnton Parish Council, and said: “There have been rumours flying around about the garden centre, and I am absolutely thrilled that it is to continue and not become another supermarket.

“Northwich is inundated with supermarkets, and we don’t need any more – what we need is more shopping facilities.

“Weaver Vale Garden Centre provides an excellent service to the area, and I use it continually.”

The Guardian contacted the Klondyke Group, which is based in Falkirk, Scotland, to seek a comment on the rumours.

A company spokesman said: “Bob Hewitt, the chief executive, wishes to refute any suggestion that Strikes is considering the disposal of its Weaver Vale Garden Centre to Morrisons.

“Weaver Vale continues to be a very successful garden centre for the company, and the Board plans to undertake further investment in the centre in the near future.”

Weaver Vale Garden Centre is one of 23 garden centres owned by the Klondyke Group throughout Scotland, the north of England and Wales.

The centre became part of the Klondyke Group following the acquisition in 2007 by Klondyke of the Garden Centres of Cheshire.