The man who has steered a shopping centre through recession-hit times is to step down.

Paul Alcock, 60, who has been at the the Mall Chequers for 17 years, will take early retirement on Thursday, May 1.

Before taking up the role, the retail boss was infamously known as the Premier League referee who was pushed over by then Sheffield Wednesday player Paolo Di Canio in 1998.

Mr Alcock made his decision when owners Capital and Regional announced a £100 million redevelopment, which meant committing to the position for a further five years.

Mr Alcock said: “It is sad to say goodbye to The Mall and the friends I have had over the last 17 years.

"But I am pleased that I am moving on and getting some time to do what I wanted to do.”

He will continue with his other roles including Town Centre Management, the Urban Blue Bus, and the Maidstone Leisure Trust and as a football referee assessor.

He will be replaced as general manager by Andy Davey, who moves from a centre in Uxbridge.