IT HAS been a landmark in Southampton city centre for 30 years.

Yet the days of the Bargate Shopping Centre could be numbered.

Civic chiefs hope work to tear down Southampton’s dilapidated will begin by the end of the year meaning it could be gone by Christmas.

The developer behind the plans has unveiled its vision to replace the centre with new shops, cafes and restaurants, as well as “significant public open space”.

The Daily Echo can also reveal that the plans could see the entire area between the Bargate and Debenhams redeveloped, as opposed to just the former centre.

As previously reported in the Daily Echo, Bargate Property Ltd bought the site last year after the run-down 1980s shopping centre was boarded up in 2013 after its last tenants left.

Now the firm is set to hold a second consultation event and, as expected, its plans for the site will contain proposals for new shops, cafes and restaurants, as well as flats including some student accommodation.

Civic chiefs hope the new shops created will include “boutique”, independent traders that will compliment what the city centre already has to offer to shoppers, as well as creating hundreds of jobs.

They also hope a new boulevard would be created alongside the medieval city walls that would open up a route from the Bargate through to Debenhams.

The plans will go on show to residents at a consultation event at 16 East Bargate from 3-7pm on Thursday, May 19.

Following the event and feedback from residents, Bargate Property Ltd will then hand a planning application in to the city council.

James Burchell, from the developer, said: “We have spent the past six months, following the first consultation event, developing our thinking for this city centre site.

“Through detailed conversations and negotiations with Historic England and the council we have been able to create a vision for the site that will breathe new life into this part of the city.

“This includes designing the scheme to create important routes through the site opening up links to Debenhams to the east and the parks to the north.

“We look forward to talking to local residents, business and stakeholders next week about the regeneration of this site and the positive contribution it will make to Southampton.”

He said the space between the centre and Queensway, currently occupied by a row of businesses, would be included, adding: “Our intention is to ensure the delivery of a development which meets the council’s policy to create a link through to Debenhams.”

City council leader Simon Letts said he hoped the demolition work could begin at the centre by the end of the year.

“You would be able to walk from Debenhams to the Bargate following the medieval walls, which would completely change the way this part of the city works,” he said.

“We want a redevelopment that will deliver a mix of residential properties, so there is some student accommodation but a significant amount of other accommodation too.

“There could be niche retailers that are attracted to places like Brighton and Bristol, and it will also be a real shot in the arm to the traders in East Street.

“We are in active negotiations to partially pedestrianise part of East Street which will provide more opportunities for outside cafes.”

Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith said: “Whatever they come up with needs to be deliverable.

“We need more homes and they can be sensitively incorporated into this development.

“We lack quaint, independent retailers and the Bargate area is an ideal place to create a bespoke shopping and dining experience unlike anything else in the city.

“We are doing well now but we don’t need more of the same. We need something different, but complimentary.”

Hampshire Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stewart Dunn, pictured inset far left, also said the new stores would need to “compliment what is already existing and enhance the city’s history and cultural quarters”.

• Anyone with questions about the plans or the consultation event can call the developer on 0808 2819531 or email consultation@bargatequarter.co.uk.

He added: “I think what they are trying to do by taking down and exposing the walls and taking a boutique approach with specialist businesses, independent outlets and cafe culture will be something more unique to Southampton and a different offering to what we already have.”

Ian Conduit, owner of wedding dress specialists Tiffany’s, opposite Debenhams, said: “All I can do is to go to the event and see what they come up with.”