A shopping centre has been given an early Christmas present.

The St George's Centre in Gravesend will be getting a makeover as part of a town regeneration project.

Gravesham council has granted permission for the refurbishment and improvement plans which will include new-look entrances, flooring, seating, lighting, decor, branding and signage throughout.

The hope is it will make the centre more welcoming and attractive to shoppers and retailers and improve the vitality of the town.

The work will be carried out by the Reef Group in partnership with the council.

Design director at Reef, Phil Duckworth, said “We’re pleased that our application for St George’s has been approved, meaning that we’ll be able to kick off the new year with a programme of works that will transform the look and feel of this important site.”

Leader of Gravesham council councillor David Turner said: “We look forward to the works starting in the New Year.

"The centre has provided a comfortable shopping environment since its development over 30 years ago and we think Reef’s scheme will give it a new vitality, a sparkle that will create a more attractive shopping experience in Gravesend as part of the ongoing regeneration of the town centre.”

The refurbishment of the St George’s Centre forms one part of the wider Gravesend Heritage Quarter project.

The development will be spread between an Eastern Quarter around the Borough Market, a Western Quarter around St George’s Church.

New shops, leisure attractions and office space will be created across the sites as well as a new hotel.

The development will also include new and much needed homes ideal for people looking to live in the centre of the town and who will be able to benefit from this major new investment.

An application for the Eastern Quarter is expected to be submitted early next year.