A major £12 million scheme to transform a shopping centre at the heart of a Gloucestershire town begins next week.

With £4 million of backing from the Gloucestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (GFirst LEP) Sheffield-based Dransfield Properties plans to transform the tired Merrywalks Shopping Centre in the heart of Stroud.

Work is expected to start on-site on Monday (July 30) in the form of improvements to the centre's multi story car park.

Specialists Berry Systems have been awarded the contract by Dransfield Properties Ltd to deliver the improvements.

Dave Hale, construction director at Dransfield Properties, said: "We are delighted to be starting work on this first phase of the planned improvements at Merrywalks and look forward to seeing the changes to the car park being completed later in the autumn.

"We will be working with our contractors to minimise disruption throughout this phase of the work and will be releasing further news in the coming months about the timescales for the next phase of our works at Merrywalks."

Yorkshire based Dransfield purchased the centre for £10 million.

GFirst LEP is providing a £1 million loan and a £3 million grant for the town centre project which aims to elevate the town's retail standing and attract a host of new businesses to Stroud as well as creating new residential and office units.

The first phase of car park works will start on levels 5, 4 and 4a of the Merrywalks car park with work being phased so that the car park can still be accessed throughout the project.

The car park improvements are expected to be completed in November.

A planning application has been submitted to Stroud District Council for other changes in the £12 million transformation of the centre which will also see a new Edwardian style entrance being created on King Street as well as a wholescale refurbishment of the outdated mall areas.

Other changes due to be made include new high-quality office and residential accommodation as well as new and refurbished retail, restaurant and coffee shop units and external improvements to the gym, bowling alley and cinema.

Initial feedback to the firm from a well-attended public meeting earlier this year showed widespread support for the project.

However, at least one business operating from Merrywalks - Up This Way - was left up in arms after being asked to leave the centre 'without consultation'.

The shop, which sold custom-built furniture and decorations, closed its doors in the centre on Saturday. It has been operating on a rent-free 'meanwhile lease'.