New owners have taken over Grays Shopping Centre - and they have big plans for it.

The centre has changed very little since its refurbishment in 1992.

However, the new owners - who paid £28million for the centre - believe it can become a thriving shopping facility for the community.

GE Real Estate and Chainbow bought the centre from Fordgate.

A spokesman for Chainbow said: "The new owners want to drive the centre forward for the benefit of the town and the shoppers, to make it more appealing and more focused on their needs and desires.

"At the moment the town is a bit disjointed.

"We are looking to working with the council and the market traders to change that.

"Rather than stuck in the 80s like it is, we will give it life and vitality and bring it into the 21st century.

"We will be looking at changes and alterations to the centre.

"There are some empty units and we need to focus on those if we are to give it vitality."

Centre manager Keith Evans added: "The new management are being more forceful and proactive in taking the centre forward to improve it for the local community."

Published Friday, April 18, 2003

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