THE agency charged with transforming Sunderland's economic fortunes will next week urge businesses to back its plans for the city's former Vaux site.

Sunderland arc, the urban regeneration company, will pitch its vision for how the 16-acre plot of land should be developed, to the city's business community.

It is part of a battle being waged over the proposed use of the former brewery site.

Tesco owns the land and wants to carry out its own development, including a supermarket, hotel, office space and housing, creating 1,000 jobs.

However, arc has earmarked the land as the bedrock of its £280m city centre regeneration plan.

The North East Chamber of Commerce has already hosted a meeting between Tesco officials and traders to hear how they propose to develop the site.

NECC offered arc a similar opportunity to get its message across.

Mick Thurlbeck, NECC Sunderland committee chairman, said: "We have to make sure that whichever plans are approved for the Vaux site are the right ones for Sunderland.

"Tesco had its say and now it is arc's turn. Once we have all the facts to hand we can make a decision on which plans we believe are best for the city."

The former home of the Sunderland brewery has lain dormant for more than five years and has been earmarked as a key location in the city's redevelopment.

The arc presentation will take place at the Marriott Hotel in Seaburn on Wednesday, at 4.45pm. For details, call 0191-386 1133.