THE future of a town centre will come under the spotlight this week.

An exhibition will be held at the Arc centre, in Stockton, from Wednesday. It will reveal the suggestions for making the town centre a better place to visit, shop, work and relax.

Commissioned by Stockton Borough Council and Stockton Renaissance, consultancy company Drivers Jonas has studied the town centre.

It has consulted local people over several months, culminating in a public meeting in January to establish what people feel Stockton needs and the issues affecting it.

Now the company has developed ideas for short and long-term action that will ensure the town can enjoy economic regeneration and success.

These form the basis of a strategy for the centre, due to be unveiled at the exhibition.

It includes plans for the High Street, the market, Riverside and leisure in the area.

Councillor Bob Cook, the council's cabinet member for regeneration and development, said: "There are some bold suggestions being made, and we urge people to come along to the exhibition to see what is being put forward.

"The important thing is that, at this stage, these are simply a set of ideas consultants have developed from what local people have told them, and which they believe could be practicable and commercially viable.

"The council has yet to comment on them, so we are some way from adopting them as firm plans.

"Certainly some of the proposals seem very exciting, but there may be others we will need to know more about."

The exhibition is open from noon to 7pm, and consultants and council officials will be able to answer questions.

Although the exhibition will only be staffed for one day, the displays will remain on view at the centre until next Monday.