MULTI-MILLION pound plans to transform Basingstoke’s tired-looking shopping centre in The Malls will be unveiled tomorrow.

Shoppers in Basingstoke will get the first glimpse of what The Malls will look like following its planned £5.7million facelift.

After months of public consultation, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council will reveal the final architect’s design for the revamped shopping centre.

The exhibition, complete with a 3D computer generated virtual tour, will be held in a shop unit on Castle Square, near to Primark, tomorrow and Saturday.

Councillor James Lewin, Cabinet member for finance, property and performance, said: “It’s a big project and we want people to know what we are doing.”

The biggest transformation will be the creation of a landmark gateway arch into the centre at the Alencon Link entrance, giving visitors to the town a much better first impression.

Other changes, suggested and approved by residents and shoppers at the consultations, include an open-air design to create a bright and fresh feel, with a canopy to keep off bad weather.

The makeover will also see the destruction of the huge concrete overhangs that overshadow the current centre.

Cllr Lewin added: “I’m excited by the plans. I think The Malls are overdue for this kind of work.”

During the public consultation period, more than 350 people made their views known, with 99 per cent of those agreeing that the site needed upgrading and 73 per cent opting for the bright and light approach to the design.

The planning application will be submitted in September.

Providing it is approved, work is scheduled to start at the beginning of next year, with hopes of it being completed by the summer of 2011.

The exhibition will be open from 11am to 4pm on both days.