Preliminary work has begun on a £5 million revamp of a Maidstone shopping centre, though owner Capital & Regional is awaiting final permission on a crucial stage of the project.

Developer Stanton will work at The Mall Chequers, in King Street, for a year, installing new lighting and flooring, heightening shop fronts and exposing ceiling beams.

At the centre of the facelift will be the removal of the canopy over the King Street entrance and the widening of the Gabriel’s Hill access point.

Final planning permission for the work is now being sought from Maidstone Borough Council.

The project will include alterations to the grade II listed 19th century Ship Inn, where the existing door, believed to be a more modern addition, will be removed.

Construction is due to commence in early July, however a determination date for the application is currently set for mid August.

The overall project, which will be the first substantial building work the centre has experienced since it opened in 1976 as the Stoneborough Centre, is completely separate to the £100million development that was proposed last year.