Edinburgh House, the former headquarters of Golden Wonder on the corner of Abbey Street and High Street, has been boarded up and disused since January 2006 when the crisps giant went into administration.

The Mail learned this week, through Land Registry records, that the site was bought for £750,000 on October 5 by Rushton-based Hazelton Commercial Ltd.

Tom Hazelton, the firm’s managing director, told the Mail yesterday (Wednesday): “We are very excited with this project.

“We want to create something the town can be proud of. It is still in the very early stages and we need to carry out building surveys, get architects involved and speak to planners but we are very excited.

“I think we may be in a better position to announce further details in early January. We will be looking at a mixed-use development of retail and maybe a restaurant.”

He confirmed they plan to retain the building and refurbish the site rather than demolish it.

Mr Hazelton also moved to quash rumours that restaurant giant Pizza Express would be moving to the site.

Alex Whitelaw, a spokesman for the pizza company, confirmed to the Mail that people from Pizza Express had viewed Edinburgh House although “no decision had been made”.

Mr Hazelton said he had not been in any discussions with Pizza Express and believed its interest in the site may have dated to before Hazelton bought the land.

Formerly based in Hallaton, Hazelton Homes has worked in Harborough before, having been behind a development for 20 flats in Caxton Street, 45 homes in Scotland Road and 15 houses in Rectory Lane, Little Bowden.

Golden Wonder went into administration in 2006 citing huge financial losses and fierce competition from Walkers. Hazelton bought the site from administrators Zolfo Cooper (formerly Kroll).