VISITORS to The Malls will really see big changes as the new roof is installed from next week.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is bankrolling a £6million regeneration of The Malls, which is set to be completed by July.

From March 28, construction workers will begin installing a clear roof canopy above Castle Square, which will extend down Old Basing Mall towards Festival Place.

Over the coming weeks and months, the scaffolding that has dominated The Malls will begin to be taken down.

Council leader Councillor Andrew Finney said: “We have reached a very exciting stage of the refurbishment of The Malls.

“A great deal of work has been undertaken already but it is hard for people to see the progress behind all of the scaffolding.’’ The work is being carried out by Wates Construction, and Cllr Finney joined project leader Paul Nightingale on Tuesday to inspect the progress. Mr Nightingale told The Gazette: “We will start to see things happening rather than just looking at scaffolding.”

Also included in the plans is a new gateway to the town along Alencon Link, opposite Basingstoke railway station.

For the safety of shoppers, Station Link will have to be closed from 6pm on Sunday, April 10 to April 15 as key work is carried out. Pedestrians will be diverted past The Anvil before entering The Malls.