SHOPPING centre bosses in Didcot have delayed the second phase of the town’s Orchard Centre until next year.

A £125m scheme to double the size of the centre to turn it into one of Oxfordshire’s top shopping destinations was announced in March.

Centre owner Hammerson said at the time it hoped to submit a planning application by the end of the year, with some shops opening by 2014.

But now the company says it does not expect to submit a planning application until the spring, although it may still have the first shops opened by the end of 2014.

Hammerson development manager Russell Beresford said: “The Orchard Centre, which we have managed for over four years, is 100 per cent let and trading well, and we believe now is the right time to invest further in Didcot.

“Since signing the development agreement to extend the Orchard Centre with South Oxfordshire District Council earlier this year, we have been considering how best to create the step change in the town’s retail offer that phase two has the potential to deliver.

“We have now instructed a full team to work up the scheme with the view to submitting a planning application in the spring of 2012.”

Hundreds of new jobs could be created in the expansion for the 10-acre site.

The plan includes dozens of new shops, town centre houses, an extension to Sainsbury’s, and the possibility of Didcot Library moving to the middle of the centre.

Hammerson spokesman Nick Jones said the economic climate was “tough”.

He added: “If we submit an application in early 2012 then we could still be on site in 2013 and therefore have stores open by the end of 2014.

“However, these things do tend to take time so it could be 2015.”

Hammerson bosses said in March that they wanted John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and Debenhams to open flagship stores by 2014, as part of a 200,000 sq ft development of new shops, cafés and restaurants.

The scheme is also set to create 1,500 new car parking spaces, although the full range of facilities including plans for a hotel and private health club, has yet to be finalised.

Didcot Chamber of Commerce chairman Mike Foster said: “We want the planning application to be submitted as soon as possible because we don’t want uncertainty for our members who will have to relocate to new premises.”

Chamber member Jeanette Howse added: “I think it’s positive news that Hammerson is pressing ahead.

“I would be surprised if the delay was due to the current economic climate because the centre always looks very busy.

“Compulsory purchase orders for business premises on Lower Broadway could take a while to complete, but I think people in Didcot will be pleased to hear that the scheme is going ahead because phase one gave the town a big lift.”

The £50m first phase of the Orchard Centre opened in 2005, and included the Cornerstone Arts Centre, Cineworld cinema, and dozens of new shops.