DEVELOPERS have moved to allay fears about the future of a £110m town centre shopping mall project.

Construction on The Oval complex, in Darlington, was due to begin earlier this year, but work was delayed amid concerns about the global economy.

Rumours surfaced yesterday that the project could be in trouble after its official website was taken offline, but the firm behind the plans has denied the scheme is under threat.

The shopping centre has been seen as crucial for the future of Darlington's economy, and will feature more than 30 shops, bars, restaurants, a nine-screen cinema and a large Debenhams store.

Local councillor Mike Barker, also a town centre trader, reported this week that one local business had decided not to move to make way for the scheme because Discovery Properties had cancelled the purchase of their shop.

But company spokesman Robert Gibson said talks were still going on to buy businesses at the project site, off Commercial Street. He said the scheduled opening date has moved from December 2010 to spring 2011 because of economic concerns.

He said: "Work is quietly progressing, with a very supportive and realistic approach being adopted by Darlington Borough Council.

"Negotiations with properties not already acquired are progressing.

"The climate is a little bit more difficult out there, which adds to the uncertainty, but it is still very much pushing ahead."

Writing on his online blog, Coun Barker said: "The wider development of the town centre... is predicated by the successful completion of The Oval.

"This, however, appears indefinitely delayed."

Mr Gibson said Debenhams would still feature in the development as the mall's flagship store, and said the website was taken down for maintenance.

He said: "Debenhams has signed an agreement, with a target opening of late spring 2011.

"Every effort is being made to make sure we stay on target and meet that timescale.

"The website is down because we have changed our operator and work is taking place to launch a new site in the autumn.

"The Oval is a very important project for Darlington, and the council has been very understanding of a situation that every retail developer faces.