The two maps show the shopping mall, Southside, in its current form and its proposed expansion.
Overall, it is clear that the plan is to extend the centre and its car park into nearby green space to allow for more stores and a greater focus on fashion at the expense of eateries and space for activities.
Currently, Southside mall consists of only a supermarket, department store, cinemas, a noodle shop and café with a children’s play area and toilet facilities. To the east of the centre, there is a golf course that backs on to a park, while to the south, there is a fitness centre and a carpark opposite the mall entrance.
According to the proposal, only the supermarket, toilet and entrance will remain from the original site. The most significant development will be the extension of the mall in an easterly direction, where it will overtake land previously occupied by the golf course and park. The fitness centre too will be demolished to make way for the carpark which will more than double in size. Inside the mall itself, although the proposed renovation will allow for more stores, including fashion boutiques and shoe stores, the department store will remain, increasing in size and acquiring its own entrance. A cosmetics and gift shop will be added, as well as a beauty salon. There will, however, be nowhere to eat as plans show the café will become an information centre.
