THE owners of a shopping centre have unveiled plans that could see it turned into a vibrant restaurant quarter.

NewRiver Retail, the owners of The Montague Shopping Centre in Worthing, have put in a planning application to change the use of the precinct to attract the likes of Yo! Sushi, Las Iguanas and Nando's.

The company has published these designs to give the public a glimpse of what Worthing's town centre around Liverpool Street could look like.

It also hopes the images will help tip the balance in getting the plans approved by Adur and Worthing Councils.

Stuart Mitchell, director at NewRiver Retail, said: “We have had great success in repositioning another shopping centre in Leamington Spa after creating a similar quality restaurant destination. This resulted in a significant uplift in footfall for the centre and surrounding area.

"Worthing is a strong town with a discernible catchment, yet the town centre lacks the appropriate range and choice of restaurants.”

“We believe our plans will help revitalise the town centre, significantly increasing its attractiveness to residents and visitors alike and increasing footfall.

"We are in detailed discussions with a number of leading national restaurant operators who have expressed interest and strong demand to launch in Worthing and our exciting plans would meet that demand."

Mr Mitchell said the Montague Centre experienced historic decline and is in need of upgrade and modernisation.

NewRiver is in detailed discussions with leading restaurants who want to launch in Worthing.

As well as bringing in restaurants, NewRiver plans to introduce new branding for the centre and new paving, seating and landscaping.

Mr Mitchell added: “Our visualisations of a transformed Montague Centre provide a very clear contrast to the current feel.

"We aim to create a whole new ambience with outside seating and retractable awnings.

"As a long-term investor in Worthing, we are committed to making this vision a reality, working in partnership with the council."

NewRiver filed an initial application to change one of the shops into a restaurant in the spring of 2014 but later withdrew it.

It then filed a planning application last November for several shops, including the one that was part of the earlier application, but a decision is yet to be taken by the council.

Councillor James Doyle, who sits on the planning committee, told The Argus: "There have been people who have raised concerns about the loss of retail but others have been very positive about it.

"I have certainly been reading through the documentation and am very happy to hear anybody's views from either perspective."

A NewRiver spokesman added: "While it's correct the local authority has to go through the process, the company feels the need to push ahead."