WORK has started on a £3m upgrade of a North-East retail park.

The investment in Mercia Retail Park, in Durham, will link the site with the nearby Arnison Retail Centre, in an attempt to increase popularity of both shopping centres.

The scheme includes the construction of a retail warehouse capable of being sub-divided with a 15,005sq ft ground floor and 12,750sq ft mezzanine level, and a terrace of three retail pods, one of 2,000sq ft and two of 1,000sq ft.

The exterior of the existing retail units is being overhauled, with new glazed shop fronts, signs and cladding.

One large unit, which currently prevents movement between the Arnison and Mercia Retail Parks, is being demolished, and an access road is being created to link the two retail centres and improve traffic flow throughout the area.

The car parks are being refurbished, and an overflow car park for 40 vehicles is being created Gordon Hewling, who heads the building consultancy team at project managers GVA Lamb and Edge, said: "The investment is a timely, well-thought out scheme."

The work is expected to be completed in the autumn.