MULTI-MILLION pound plans to transform Morecambe into a shopping Mecca include building a discount supermarket on the seafront, The Citizen can reveal.

In the week that Morrison's submitted an application to develop a leisure and retail complex at Frontierland, discount chain store Aldi also revealed a scheme to demolish the Empire Buildings on Marine Road to make way for a supermarket and car park.

Surprised Morecambe councillors and retailers said they welcomed investment in the resort but were concerned that a supermarket on the seafront would be "inappropriate."

There are also worries that the ambitious new schemes would sound the death knell for struggling independent retailers.

"We were stunned by the Aldi proposal," said one leading councillor. "Every application has to be taken on its merits but we were bewildered that they want to build a supermarket and car park right on the seafront.

"I think it's inappropriate and not really what's needed for Morecambe."

Morecambe's Chamber of Trade said they were looking at the plans in detail before expressing their views.

"We don't want to make a knee-jerk reaction and are studying the plans carefully," said Mr John Bates.

"But it's a case of will it attract more shoppers to Morecambe or will it take away existing trade."

The Morrison's scheme includes extensive and sympathetic landscaping on the promenade with a food court and shopping piazza.

However one councillor commented on the scheme: "It's top notch stuff. The landscaping looks very high quality and will definitely attract more people to the resort.

"Every successful town has a thriving shopping centre and this is exactly the sort of development Morecambe needs."