The store, along with neighbour Newlook Eyewear, may have to move to make way for the window-box river link structure that Maitland City Council plans to build as part of The Levee ­project.

The river link will provide open pedestrian access between the business precinct and the river front at the Bulwer Street intersection.

Bailey’s Jewellers owner Doug Crich has run the store for more than 20 years of its 44-year-history at the site.

The Mercury could not reach Mr Crich for comment yesterday but he has previously spoken publicly in favour of council’s planned changes to the mall, including the river link.

Councillors debated whether to pursue the purchase of the buildings so they could be demolished to make way for the river link, in a confidential session at last night’s meeting.

Council corporate services executive manager and public officer Graeme Tolhurst ­confirmed that the buildings occupied by Bailey’s Jewellers and Newlook Eyewear were in council’s sights.

“Maitland City Council is investigating the possible purchase of 398 High Street which is currently occupied by Bailey’s Jewellers and 400 High Street which is currently occupied by Newlook Eyewear for The Levee development component two,” he said.

Work on the $6.7 million first stage of The Levee project, which will involve reopening the pedestrian-only section of the mall to vehicles, began in June.

It is expected to be finished by next January or February.

The river link structure will be built as part of the second stage of work, set to begin next year.

Councillors also voted to apply for $9.92 million worth of mining royalties from the state government at last night’s meeting as part of the Resources for Regions program, after Maitland became eligible for the money in May.

If successful, council will use the money to partially pay for stage two of The Levee project.