The Queens Square Shopping Centre in West Bromwich is to receive a near £7 million facelift in a bold move to transform the complex.

After planning permission to modernise the shopping centre was granted earlier this year, Sandwell Council has now signed a works agreement and new long-term lease for the centre.

The move means Fairacre – acting on behalf of Queens Square’s owners – can now begin radical plans to upgrade the shopping centre in the heart of the town.

Refurbishment work will include a new main High Street entrance, improved malls and new toilets. It will also be given a brighter feel thanks to plans to introduce more daylight into the shopping centre.

Nearly £7 million, including a £3 million contribution by Sandwell Council, will be invested on improving the shopping centre in the coming years.

The first phase of work, which sees improved malls and the new entrance installed, will get underway in the New Year and be completed by spring 2014.

It will complement other work currently being undertaken by Tesco at the shopping centre to link it to the New Square development, as well as an ongoing council project to revamp the pedestrian High Street, with new paving, seating, lighting and landscaping.

Fairacre has been involved with the Queens Square Shopping Centre since 2010 and takes control of its day to day running as part of the new lease. As well as attracting new businesses to the shopping centre, they will examine new ways of maximising use of the malls such as introducing event and performance space.

Councillor Derek Rowley, Sandwell’s cabinet member for jobs and economy, said: “The refurbishment of Queen’s Square is great news because it helps us support existing businesses in West Bromwich as well as attracting new ones.”

Leigh Perl, on behalf of Fairacre, said: “We are looking forward to bringing Queens Square up to the standard you’d expect of any modern shopping centre. We and the council share the same vision.”