A SPECIAL ceremony is taking place to celebrate Market Walk shopping centre’s £2m revamp next week.

VIP guests will gather at the retail complex in Newton Abbot on Wednesday morning for the grand opening.

Builders have been hard at work giving run-down Market Walk a makeover by re-cladding shop fronts and putting a glass roof over the arcade of shops.

Future plans earmarked for the town centre will also be showcased at the event from 10.30am until 2pm in the vacant unit next to the Oggy Oggy Pasty Company outlet.

Teignbridge Council leader Jeremy Christophers said: ‘Market Walk looks great and we have welcomed the very positive feedback from people saying the same.

‘This is a vital investment in our town centre as it shows our commitment to making Newton Abbot a great place to visit and spend time, whether that’s meeting a friend for lunch or doing Christmas shopping.’

He added: ‘People are welcome to come along and view our master-plan for the future.

‘As a transformational council, place-making is a key element in our vision to support both the daytime and night-time economy.’

The district authority, which bought Market Walk for £13m in 2016, recently backed a project to build a state-of-the-art cinema complex and string of eateries in the town centre.

Cllr Mike Haines, leader of the council’s Independent group, said: ‘This is a new chapter in the life of Market Walk and we look forward to welcoming visitors and shoppers to see for themselves the new design.

‘The glass canopy has certainly got people talking and looking up at it.

‘Changes in the way we shop bring challenges, but the regeneration of Newton Abbot is aimed at bringing long-term benefits both economic and socially.’