A MAJOR revamp of a Tees shopping centre is planned.

Eleven small shops are to close in Middlesbrough's Cleveland Centre, and be replaced by four larger stores.

Big-name retailers have been lined up for the new-look mall where another 250 car parking spaces are to be created on a new deck built on to the existing 560-space rooftop car park.

Boots will expand while the centre's two entrances on Linthorpe Road are to be improved.

The partial remodelling of the 32-year-old centre will start later this year with the new stores open for business next summer.

Martin Sheppard, a partner in landlord Reit Asset Management, confirmed that millions of pounds are being invested to give the Cleveland Centre - one of four town centre shopping malls in Middlesbrough - a new look.

"It is to improve the range of retail that Middlesbrough and the Cleveland Centre can offer," he said.

"Middlesbrough is a top 50 retail town and there is a high demand from retailers for the town because of that. We are giving them what they want."

The new look includes an 11,000sq ft superstore-sized shop. Mr Sheppard said: "It's a mix, but it will predominantly be fashion. We have agreed terms in principle with the four."

Hardware business Scorers, which has traded out of the Cleveland Centre for ten years and chocolate sellers Thorntons both closed at the weekend.

Raygales the chemists is also to close, owner James Young revealed last night. He said: "I am trying to relocate, trying to find a new site.

Centre operations manager Tim Hunt said: "Some of the tenants are relocating elsewhere in the centre; others are taking the opportunity to close down.

"It's going to improve the choice of shops in the centre and it will be to the benefit of Middlesbrough. It will bring a whole new range of choice to the people of Middlesbrough."

The model of Captain Cook's ship, HM Bark Endeavour suspended from the centre roof will disappear, with the floor map plotting the explorer's travels; both to make way for the new larger shops.

The model has been offered to the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum.