Developer McAulay says there will be no delay in starting work

That is according to site developer McAulay Market Building Limited.

The assurance comes after main contractor, RG Falla, pulled out of the St Peter Port project.

They have been replaced by international firm Sir Robert McAlpine Limited.

McAulay director Brett Allan said the change of contractor should not affect the start of work on the site, which would begin imminently.

'Very rapidly'

"We will start this month and the programme I have at the moment is that it will take 18 months to finish," said Mr Allan.

"But I believe there is a way of shortening certain parts of that.

"Sir Robert will be able to build very rapidly once various bits are in place."

McAulay said McAlpine Limited had been working in conjunction with RG Falla for some time, so the transition between contractors should be seemless.

Business commitments

RG Falla managing director Andy Hall said the company was leaving the project because it was no longer the right one for them.

He said getting involved with the market development was the right decision three years ago.

But existing business commitments and the company's current workload meant it was no longer feasible for them to be involved.