THIS is the latest image of what Bournemouth town centre’s revamped Burlington Arcade will look like, if planning chiefs at BCP Council give the project the thumbs up.

Earlier this year, when the Daily Echo first featured a story about the arcade being in line for a facelift, shoppers reacted positively to the news.

Beermount Limited, the property company owning the building, wants to alter both facades of the arcade, which is within a town centre conservation area and provides a pedestrian thoroughfare linking Old Christchurch Road with St Peter’s Road.

Compare the current facade on Old Christchurch Road with plans

Yesterday, a spokesman for design company KTM, which is involved in the project, said: “We were approached by the owners of Burlington Arcade back in November 2018, and have worked with them since then to develop a design that will improve both the interior and exterior of both sides of the arcade.

“We are thrilled to be involved with projects like this that help boost Bournemouth’s high street.”

The proposals also include alterations to the canopy at St Peter’s Road.

Other changes include replacement windows along the arcade’s upper floors, a replacement archway structure with integrated advertising television monitors and a new artificial hedge on Old Christchurch Road.

New lighting is also proposed.

When the Echo spoke to shoppers about the project, William Dixon said: “The place looks a little tired but I often cut through on my way into town.

“There are some nice shops and businesses here. A bit of a makeover would be welcome.”

No change to the overall scale of the building is proposed as part of the project.

Meanwhile, a design and access statement, prepared for the application by Pure Town Planning, stated: “It is considered that the existing building makes a negative contribution to the conservation area as identified by previous applications and therefore it is considered the proposals will have no detrimental impact upon nearby heritage assets.”

Pure Town Planning says the proposed alterations have been designed to improve the appearance of both frontages and have been “driven by the aspiration to modernise the entrance and internal environment.”

Comments on the proposals can be lodged with BCP Council’s planning department online.