A £3 million redevelopment of Mill Gate's Minden Parade is now under way.

And this latest phase of refurbishment will create seven new shopping units and enhance the popular Bury centre's reputation as a prime retail attraction.

The jewel in the crown -- a 1,600 sq metre first floor unit on the corner of The Mall and Minden Parade -- will be occupied by well-known retailer JJB Sports.

Work to transform Minden Parade, the external mall of the shopping complex which leads to Market Parade, is being carried out by Westfield Shoppingtowns.

Redevelopment will embrace the construction of the new shop units, totalling around 3,000 sq metres, which will be enclosed by the addition of a glass roof.

The new shops will be built along the east side of Minden Parade, involving the demolition of a derelict building on Market Parade and the refurbishment of the old Fish and Meat market.

A number of existing shops will also be demolished under the scheme.

The doors at the existing entrance to Minden Parade will be moved to the top end, at the junction with Market Parade, to give renewed focus to this entrance of the centre.

Westfield's centre manager Mr Colin Nichol said: "We are very excited about this investment in the Mill Gate shopping centre, which will regenerate Minden Parade and bring it up to the standard of the rest of the centre.

"The addition of a glass roof will enable the existing canopies along Minden Parade to be removed, allowing in much more natural light. Our plans will totally transform this area."

He added: "We are in negotiation with a number of retailers for the new units and are delighted that JJB Sports have already committed to trade from the 1,600 square metre first floor unit on the corner of The Mall and Minden Parade.

"We will announce the arrival of further new retailers to Bury in the near future and will keep our shoppers and retailers advised as the development progresses."

Construction will take approximately six months with the new look for Minden Parade being unveiled in the autumn.

However, it is business as usual for the remaining retailers on the west side of Minden Parade and the Bury markets who will continue to trade through the period of construction.

Disruption to shoppers will be minimal and access from Market Parade into the Mill Gate centre will be retained during the project.

Mill Gate is owned jointly by Westfield and MEPC.