Masterplan for future of Merry Hill revealed

And bosses have vowed that parking at the shopping centre would remain free for as long as they own the site.

Since Intu Properties bought a 50 per cent stake for more than £400 million last year, it has begun giving the shopping centre a facelift.

In recent months, the malls have been given a lick of paint and new lighting installed to give it a brighter appearance.

Shoppers can also now connect to free WiFi following a six-figure investment.

But Intu Asset manager Nick Round said this was just the start with work taking place to draw up a five-year programme for redeveloping and improving not just the shopping centre but also the retail parks and the Waterfront.

This could include expanding the existing food court and attracting more big restaurant chains as well providing more leisure options.

Bosses also want to cater for stores which want larger premises - one of these is Topshop and Topman which will open a new two-storey branch near Debenhams next year.

Plans for the future of the site are still at an early stage but Mr Round said it was 'an exciting time' for Merry Hill.

While marketing manager Rob Pickersgill said they were keen to build on the good reputation of the shopping centre.

"It's a great shopping centre with great local tradition. The shoppers love the shopping centre but the opportunity is there to do more - the only way is up," he added.

Meanwhile Mr Round also pledged to keep offering free parking despite calls having been made in the past by council bosses for charges to be introduced.

"The Intu policy is that, at our regional shopping centres, we don't charge for parking.

"I think it (charging for parking) would be a disadvantage - people would go elsewhere.

"I am certain that while we own the shopping centre, we will not be charging for parking. There has been free parking for 25 years," he added.

Mr Round also revealed that plans for a revamp of the bus station at Merry Hill were being revived. A previous £3m scheme was shelved by Dudley Council and Centro because it was feared it was too expensive.

But Mr Round confirmed the plans were re-visited and to see what improvements could be made.

Since buying out Westfield last year, Intu has already invested around £3million on improving car parks and roads around the the shopping centre.

Work at the multi-storey car park at Sainsbury's is due to be finished early next month.

The complex has been boost by new shops in recent months including the New Look menswear branch which opened on Thursday, creating 15 jobs.

While in May, Ultimate Outdoors, part of JD Sports, took over the old Kiddicare shop. Around 80 workers were recruited for the store.

There also celebrations in June when the Quest entertainment zone at Merry Hill shopping centre was saved from closure.

The children's centre, which includes an indoor high rope course and mini golf, appeared to be facing a bleak future when it was announced before Christmas that it was due to close following heavy losses.

But in June it was confirmed that Quest would continue to operate from Merry Hill after being bought by Mark Knox, a previous manager at the site.

Quest had struggled to attract the numbers that initially came through the doors when it opened in 2012, creating 30 jobs, but Mr Knox promised an exciting future for the centre following the completion of the rescue deal.