DURHAM'S shopping centre is in line for an £8.5m facelift as its new owners attempt to bring shoppers back.

A revamped entrance from Framwelgate Bridge and cafes and shops on the terrace overlooking the River Wear are planned for the Milburngate Centre by Catalyst Capital.

The company, which has property in places including Paris, bought the centre from Coal Pension Properties last year.

It plans to transform the complex, which has suffered with the opening of the Prince Bishops Shopping Centre in 1999.

Several traders based at Milburngate moved into the new complex and there have been vacant units ever since.

Catalyst Capital hopes to make the centre more attractive to shoppers and traders.

The company plans to increase the size of shops in the centre to attract the big names in high street fashion.

The entrance from Framwelgate Bridge will have a canopy and there are plans to create a semi-circular row of shops on the outside facing North Road.

Durham City Council has sold its lease of the centre's multi-storey car park to Catalyst, which intends to upgrade it.

The overall refurbishment will take place over the next two to three years, depending on planning permission being obtained.

The car park will be refurbished in phases so that motorists will still be able to use it.

This is particularly important because the city is to lose the Walkergate car park to development for two years.

Catalyst managing partner Peter Kasch said the new entrance would make the centre more welcoming and greater use would be made of the lower level overlooking the river.

He could give no indication of what parking charges would be under Catalyst's ownership but said: "I doubt if we'll be lowering the charges.''

Carol Woods, the city council's cabinet member for finance, said: "A vibrant retail area is vital for Durham.

"Major new funding for Milburngate from Catalyst Capital will boost trade and attract more people to the city centre.

"The extensive works we are carrying out in North Road will receive a further boost from this initiative and we will all gain as a result.''