The $15m suburban facelift aimed at attracting a ‘younger generation’ of shoppers has started

A PLANNED $15-million revamp of a suburban shopping centre has started and retailers hope the facelift will attract a new and younger crowd.

Woolworths is set to double its size under the revamp.

A $15 MILLION upgrade of the Marden Shopping Centre has started and is expected to be completed in 12 months

The overhaul, which includes a new Woolworths almost twice the size as the old one, three new specialty shops and 39 extra carparks, began last week.

It is the Lower Portrush Rd centre’s first major upgrade in about a decade.

The centre’s owner, The Taplin Group, hopes it will attract more people to the complex.

Retailers have welcomed the start of the upgrade and expect a business boost.

Faircut Meats co-owner Amanda Redman said the inside of her shop was also set for a facelift, which she expected to be completed later this month, as part of the redevelopment.

“Our shop is going to be completely renovated and the inside of the whole shopping centre is going to, once completed, look very modern which will be great,” Ms Redman said.

“We are excited for the upgrade to be finished because at the moment the shopping centre looks a bit rundown.

“Hopefully the revamp will bring a younger generation of shoppers to the centre and also people who may live in the area but didn’t shop here before.”

Bradley Ward, who owns 2 Delicious on Payneham Rd, is looking forward to a growth in visitors to the area.

“The upgrade has got to be great for the area because it is looking tired at the moment, so it will make a big difference and bring more people here,” Mr Ward said.

“The more customers they can get over there, the better for me, because I already get lots of people coming to my cafe after shopping there.”

Centre owner Andrew Taplin said the works would be carried out in two major stages and was aimed at making Marden Shopping Centre a “one-stop shop”.

“The refurbishments of the inside of the centre, which includes brightening up the mall with new lighting and tiling is the first stage,” Mr Taplin said.

“The second stage will be the building the new Woolworths store and making improvements to the carpark.

“We are really excited because the upgrade will give people better access to the shop and provide a much better shopping environment.”