Island property businessman John Whittaker could be in the spotlight again after the Trafford Centre in the north of England was reportedly set to be put up for sale.

It is reported that the sale of the centre which attracts 30 million visitors a year is sure to attract Mr Whittaker’s attention.

The Sunday Times Rich List billionaire is the founder of property giant Peel which sold the shopping centre site to current owner Intu in 2011.

Moves to put the centre on the market follow Intu’s collapse into administration on June 26.

Sky News is reporting that the decision to seek a buyer for the centre has been forced by its biggest lender, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB).

It is believed that investment bank PJT Partners, and property agent CBRE have been appointed to market the Trafford Centre.

Isle of Man Newspapers reported last month that business circles were speculating that if Intu was forced to sell the Trafford Centre, perhaps Mr Whittaker himself will buy it back.

Mr Whittaker leads Peel Holdings and the Trafford Centre was the group’s first landmark development.

Peel went on to develop MediaCity UK, Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

The Trafford Centre was sold to Capital Shopping Centre, now Intu Properties, for £1.6 billion back in 2011.

And Peel Holdings still retains its head office at the centre.

The Trafford Centre is Britain’s fourth-biggest shopping mall.