DEVELOPERS yesterday unveiled details of plans for a £45m shopping complex in the North-East.

As revealed in The Northern Echo yesterday, the centre is to be built in Darlington, incorporating the town's existing Queen Street arcade. It is expected to attract shoppers from throughout the North-East and North Yorkshire.

Although the centre's tenants are a closely guarded secret, sources close to the scheme say officials have held talks with Debenhams.

The scheme needs a department store to anchor the mall and Debenhams would appear to be the preferred partner.

Other possible tenants include T K Maxx and Virgin Megastore - although neither has confirmed its interest.

Officials would only say that "a major department store" was being lined up. Discussions are on-going with other retailers interested in taking space in the 25 unit development.

Plans for the complex were revealed yesterday by developers St Martins International Property Investment and Darlington Borough Council.

St Martins, which owns the 1960s Queen Street arcade, will work with the council to build the new 240,000 sq ft centre.

It will be built on the Queen Street car park and will involve the demolition of the newly-refurbished Lounge nightclub as well as the Regent Housing office buildings. Both could be offered space within the new complex.

The centre will be on two levels, with parking on the roof for 230 cars. It will be connected by a bridge to a 700 space multi-storey car park over the ring road.

Barry Keel, chief executive of Darlington Borough Council, said yesterday: "This is an extremely exciting day for Darlington.

"At the moment, we are the fifth most important shopping development in the North-East but this will allow us to go up a league."

Lindsey Robinson, executive director of St Martins, said: "The challenge we face, and the town faces, is that the type of retailer that people are looking for has changed and the demands of the retailers has changed.

"The arcade was refurbished a few years ago to bring it into the 1990s - this will bring it into the 21st Century."

Last night, Debenhams was unable to confirm speculation it would be the flagship store for the new centre.

Once the planning application for the new complex has been passed it is thought building work could be completed within two years.