Rumours that a popular 1960s shopping centre will completely close as it prepares for its re-development have been dispelled by a council.
Sections of The Strand in Bootle, Merseyside, will be knocked down as part of the project to transform the complex.
Sefton Council has warned shoppers and residents that new hoardings are to be put up for surveys and preparatory work – but have reassured shoppers the centre will remain open.
The council has also said the first phase of the £20 million refurbishment is due to be finished in March 2026.
Councillor Paulette Lappin said: “While the hoardings are up, all the businesses will remain open as usual and that will remain the case throughout the whole development.
“What I’d ask is that people continue to support The Strand shopping centre during the work.”
The plans, funded by the government, will see leisure, hospitality, health care and education services among the shops.
The council bought the centre for £32.5m in 2017 and laid out plans for a landmark regeneration project to “secure its future”.
Work on phase one of the development is due to begin early next year.