A NEW £43m shopping complex promises to help turn the fortune of a town centre and bring changes for its residents.

Although not due to open until later this month, some of the shops at the Wellington Square development in Stockton have begun trading.

Official figures are not yet available but developers are quietly confident all has gone well in the past two weeks.

A spokesman from the complex said: "We are up and running, but we are not making any bold claims. The complex will hopefully bring more people to Stockton as a whole, including those who usually go to neighbouring Middlesbrough.

"So far, it has gone very well and we are expecting it to turn the fortunes of Stockton.

"I think over the next few years the town will see many changes for the better."

It is expected the development, owned by the Wellington Square Development Company, and supported by Stockton Borough Council, will create more than 300 jobs when fully opened.

Supermarket Lidl and a KFC drive-through fast food outlet were the first of the 43 shops to open. They were followed by others including Marks and Spencer and Littlewoods, who provide access links by foot from the High Street into Wellington Square.

Councillor Bob Cook, Stockton Borough Council's cabinet member for regeneration, said: "We welcome the opening of the new shops. The new centre looks absolutely amazing. We are sure it will prove to be a major asset for Stockton and attract shoppers from throughout the area."

The Government and the council between them invested more than £10m in preparing the centre for the development, seen as the key to Stockton's regeneration.

Rob Gildersleeve, the centre manager, said: "We have had two excellent weeks and all the traders who have moved from other premises in Stockton have reported an increase in profits from the same time last year. New traders have also given us a positive feedback."

The official opening will take place on October 25 with the mayor of Stockton, Councillor Terry Bean, and Toyah from Coronation Street