WORK is to start next week on a £2m makeover of one of the region’s biggest shopping centres.

The owners of Dalton Park outlet shopping centre, at Murton, in County Durham, have announced a major investment in the complex to create “a first class visitor experience”.

The investment, by owners Henderson UK Property PAIF, will be in “cosmetic enhancements” including redecoration of shop fronts, improvements to the mall floor, new meeting points, improved lighting and landscaping in front of the centre and improved toilets.

Work will start on Monday and is due to be completed by the end of October.

The investment comes at the end of a busy 12 months for the 70-store shopping complex, following the opening of the centre’s second phase which includes a Frankie & Benny’s, Pizza Express, Prezzo, KFC, carvery-style Marstons pub and seven-screen Cineworld cinema.

Over the last year, the centre has reported a 16 per cent increase in visitor numbers, taking the figure up 2.7 million visits per year, along with a 10 per cent increase in like-for-like sales.

Centre manager Jerry Hatch said: “2016 was a tremendous year for the outlet and 2017 will continue to deliver further improvements for our customers.

“Our aim is to refresh the retail offer in line with the new leisure scheme, creating consistency of ambience and appeal to ensure we continue to deliver a first class visitor experience overall.”