Today developers said they expected Tesco, Next, Brantano, Matalan, New Look, Dreams and Sports World would all be taking space in the plan.

Developers were given planning permission for a leisure and shopping centre on the former Wisbech greyhound stadium site in 2006. But the credit crunch put the brakes on the plan.

Now Fenland councillors have agreed

revised plans for the site, including a new Tesco and a cinema.

Plans also now include a retail park next door to the former stadium , on Cromwell Road.

Retailers including, Next, Brantano, Matalan, New Look, Dreams and Sports World are being lined up for the centre, which is expected to open in 2013.

Bethany Brown, associate planner with planning consultancy WYG, said: 'The development will provide significant investment to the area whilst creating much needed employment.

'Planning permission had previously been granted on the former Wisbech greyhound stadium for a retail and leisure park in 2006-7 however, the development had been stalled by the market downturn and was unable to be implemented.

'The new proposals, which are the culmination of several years' worth of positive, sustained engagement with Fenland District Council, will enable a series of benefits to be finally realised for Wisbech.'

Jonathan Clogg, development director, Cromwell Retail Park, said: 'We are delighted with the outcome.

'We have been working closely with WYG to ensure that the plans created properly meet with the area's needs and the council's requirements.

'It is great that we have a number of household retail names reserved for the retail park development.

'The planned Light Cinema will be one of the UK's first all-digital cinemas providing 3D cinematograph, sport, culture/music and video as well as educational conferencing for companies, colleges and schools.'

Work on the site is expected to begin later this year.