Work has begun on demolishing part of the Belvoir Shopping Centre in Coalville - the first stage in making way for a new development in the town.

North West Leicestershire District Council says the works will make way for a new car park access way, open green spaces and a new town square for people to enjoy whilst shopping.

The council adds that businesses within the shopping centre will remain open as normal, with the works currently fenced off from the public.

The new investment in Coalville is being provided by Gylo, who acquired the Centre in Coalville in 2019.

A council statement says the plans, which are the first stage of the centre's revitalisation, will bring major improvements to the feel and attractiveness of the public space with the introduction of new green spaces, new style shop fronts, better connections to the car parking and the creation of a new town square where people can relax while shopping.

Nick Harcus of Lathdale, the development consultants for Gylo said, "It's fantastic to get these works underway and it will be business as usual for the shopping centre as we undertake them.

"We're particularly pleased to be working alongside the local authority who have been very supportive on changing things for the better in Coalville.

:Our collaboration with the council has been carefully thought through and together we are also working hard on securing Central Government support for The Lyceum, a new-build multipurpose skills, arts and cultural centre of 21,000 sq ft over two floors located on an high profile redevelopment plot in the shopping centre.

"While we require a positive decision on this from the Government's Levelling Up Fund, we are confident that The Lyceum is an innovative and transformative project that directly meets Government priorities."

"Coalville town centre has been starved of investment for too long and this has had negative consequences for the vitality and viability of a key part of the local economy.

"The initial stage of works aims to create a much more attractive environment and draw in more footfall which has already been improving over recent months.

"We feel very positive about this first move towards a brighter future."

Councillor Richard Blunt, Leader of North West Leicestershire District Council, said, "It's great to see another step being taken to complete the next phase of the project to revamp Belvoir Shopping Centre.

"Coalville remains a priority for the council and it's exciting to see the plans start to come to fruition.

"The demolition works are a necessary part of the project and I'd like to thank visitors and shoppers for their patience whilst the works are ongoing."