HABITAT, the Disney Store and Country Casuals are some of the big High Street names queuing up to come to Preston as plans for a massive £23 million face-lift for St Georges centre are unveiled.

It'll take more than two years to revamp the 30-year-old centre. Some shopkeepers have expressed alarm to the developers about the length of time it will take and about the possibility of new rents.

But it's all systems go for now as Preston Council considers the plans.

Owners Legal and General want to make St Georges one of the premiere shopping centres in the country.

Already several big stores have expressed an interest in moving to the town, including the Disney Store.

Managing Director of Legal and General property Stuart Beevor said high street retailers were pressing for bigger and better outlets in the town.

Eventually, there will be 24 new shops in a mall leading to a new main entrance on Friargate, opposite Orchard Street. Work will start in January 1997 and take around two and a half years.

Manager of the centre Carol Lowde said: "For the past three years tenants have constantly requested that we improve the look of the shopping centre.

"As a Preston citizen born and bred I am delighted by the news of this investment."

If it goes ahead, this will be the second redevelopment to be done at the centre, which celebrates its 30th birthday this Friday. St Georges was transformed from a 1960s-style open-air complex with pastel mosaic patterns 15 years ago when the roof was built.

Although traders have so far responded in favour of the move, they are worried about possible disruptions and any rent increases.

But Legal and General director Stephen Mundy said: "Rents will not go up unless the retailers are making more profits."

The project would require Bamber's Yard and other nearby roads to be closed from time to time.

It will also mean some short-term new jobs for the construction phase and new jobs in the retail trade.

Drawings of the proposals will be on display at the centre.

In February St George's catered to around three quarters of a million shoppers.

The proposed new development will add 117,000 sq ft of space in 30 new shops, to be done in three phases.

Unemployment in the town was nearly three per cent below the national average last year at just 5.8 per cent.

The town's primary catchment area for retail and business includes a population of around 300,000.

Preston has an unusually high proportion of children and young adults - the number of people aged up to 24 is 10 per cent higher than the national average.

Preston has an above average number of car and home owners.

Legal and General have identified 50 other known retailers which want to come in to Preston but can't find the right site.

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