SHOPPERS can have their say over the final pieces of the jigsaw of a retail development to fully open later in the year.

Finishing touches are being made to the £18m Byron Place shopping centre, which is expected to enhance the retail sector in the former mining town of Seaham.

It is also expected to halt the exodus of residents shopping in neighbouring towns and cities.

Featuring a recently opened Asda food store, the centrepiece is a covered mall, which is expected to bring knock-on benefits for surrounding traders in Church Street.

Most units are already earmarked, featuring well-known High Street names including Wilkinsons, Argos, Subway, Shoe Fayre, Farmfoods, Peacocks, Home Bargains, Specsaver, Select, Greggs and Dones bookmakers.

Byron Place manager John Brady is keen to hear what sort of retailers people would like to see occupying the remaining un-let units.

"We want to know what the people of Seaham want to see in there to give them more quality shops to choose from," he said.

"Those already going in are quite well-known national names, but we would like to see a little bit more variety."

Mr Brady believes that, apart from providing jobs, the centre will attract people back into the town centre to spend their money in Seaham, and not only in Byron Place.

"It's providing a facelift for Seaham, a facility they've never had before so they have had to go out of town to Sunderland or Peterlee," he said.

"People are coming into the town centre and they will have a walk on to Church Street and use the premises there."

Mr Brady believes Byron Place will help to turn around the fortunes of the town centre, parts of which have been derelict in recent years.

Among the early ideas for the remaining units in Byron Place are for a chemists' premises, grocers and a cafeteria.

Suggestions for the best use of the premises can be sent to the centre's website, www.byron place.co.uk, where details of opening times and bus links are soon to be posted.

The centre is to open on Monday November 12.