A major overhaul of Clacton Shopping Village could see a new garden centre, car showroom and drive-through restaurant.

The centre, in Stephenson Road West, was bought this year by investment company Rom Capital.

It has now submitted three options to develop a 1.7 hectare area of the centre's car park. Plans also include a new pub restaurant, another restaurant/cafe, as well as six light industrial and storage units.

Only 25 of the site's 47 units were occupied when the company bought the site from Southern Outlet Centres.

It is not known how much money the company is putting into the project, but centre manager Allan Hassell said it was "substantial".

Zak Veasey, Rom Capital's head of asset management, said the centre would be rebranded as Clacton Factory Outlet. He said: "We didn't buy the business to fail with it. It was on its knees, but from here the only way is up."

It is thought Tendring Council will make a decision on the plans in July.

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