THE future of a department store in the centre of Cinderford is as unclear as ever despite workmen measuring up windows of the former Westgate premises.

Midcounties Co-operative, who lease the shop out to tenants, refused to comment on the works when asked by The Forester.

The store was vacated by Real Deal, who also have a shop next door, in May after just six months.

It has previously homed Beales and Westgate department stores but the former left the premises empty despite being offered ‘peppercorn rent’ by the Co-op.

Cinderford mayor, Max Coborn, is also in the dark regarding the new developments despite his own investigations.

“I haven’t heard anything,” he said.

“Everyone involved seems to have been sworn to secrecy. It’s strange why it would be a secret.

“We did try to go in there for the Town Council exhibition day celebrating old Cinderford but they didn’t get back to us, so there’s obviously something going on there.”

A Midcounties Co-operative spokesperson said they ‘could not confirm’ who the workmen were operating on behalf of, saying: “It would be unfair to comment further.”