THE new Dutch owner of Poole’s Dolphin Shopping Centre, property company Wereldhave, says residents will soon start to see improvements.

Introducing the company to the business community at an event held at the RNLI, managing director Andrew Turton said: “Since we bought the Dolphin Centre last year, we have been quietly working away on plans to enhance the centre.

“We believe the town is a brilliant shopping location with lots of potential and we are keen to transform Poole into a major retail destination, whilst maintaining it as a valuable local resource for local people.

“Though it is early days and work will be phased, the local community will start to see Wereldhave begin to upgrade and improve the centre, with the aim of attracting new retailers to the town.

“Wereldhave will work with town traders, existing retailers and local people as it works to create a centre which makes Poole an even better place to live, work and visit.”

The property giant bought the centre in December last year for £85 million and declared its intention to turn it into one of the south’s top shopping destinations.

Grand plans are in the pipeline, including bigger shops and new restaurants as the company sets about modernising the centre.

There have long been plans to extend the centre towards Seldown Bridge as part of the revitalisation of the town centre under previous owner Grosvenor and Borough of Poole, which owns the land, is keen for it to progress.

The shopping centre currently attracts 2.3 million visitors a year.