Plans for the £15 million regeneration of a dilapidated town centre shopping complex have been submitted.

Reef Estates will deliver the long overdue face lift to Gravesend's St George's Centre as part of the wider £160 million Heritage Quarter redevelopment scheme, first mooted 15 years ago.

The shopping centre project is being bank rolled by insurance company Aviva's pension fund, which shook hands with the council earlier in the summer on a long-term lease deal worth £1.15m a year.

When finished in September 2021 it is hoped the newly create leisure offering, which will feature a 'boutique cinema' and restaurants will breathe life back in the town's flagging night time economy.

But at this stage the application, lodged with Gravesham council last week, focuses on removing canopies; improving the entrances; lighting and signage; replacing flooring; and updating walls, fascias and soffits.

On behalf of Reef, Kieran McCallum from property consultancy GL Hearn writes: "The refurbishment of St. George’s represents an important first step in the delivery of the wider redevelopment.

"It seeks to improve the attractiveness of the centre as a shopping and leisure destination, increasing footfall and enhancing the vitality and viability of both the centre and the wider town centre.

"This application constitutes the first phase of the refurbishment to be followed by further works to the centre and wider area."

He adds: "The existing design has resulted in a dated appearance and the centre lacks an identity.

"The result has been it has suffered acutely from a declining footfall and consequent drops in turnover and a rise in vacancies within the units.

"As a key component of the town centre offer, the poor performance of the centre currently hampers the vitality and viability of Gravesend."

According to the application the work will impact five stores while Kent County Council Highways has also been informed.

A decision on the application, which can be viewed here, is due to be made by he end of October.