THE White City retail park in Old Trafford is to undergo a £6.5 million revamp, with the creation of five new units, totalling 59,000 sq ft of additional space.

Ten of the existing stores will also be refurbished and the pedestrian walkways improved as part of the investment by owner Derwent Holdings - bringing the total space at the park to 148,000 sq ft.

Trafford Park-based contractor Russells Construction will carry out the work, following the delivery of similar schemes for Derwent at the Ellesmere Shopping Centre in Walkden and the Anlaby Retail Park in Hull.

The units will be completed by spring 2015, with the work will be phased to minimise disruption for the park’s existing tenants and customers, which include Pizza Hut, Currys, SCS, Dreams, Furniture Village and Halfords.

Russells Construction director, Gareth Russell, said: “The redevelopment of White City is our third retail park project for Derwent Holdings and we’re delighted to have been appointed to deliver it over the coming year.

“Building on our experience of similar projects in Hull and Walkden, we have planned a phased programme which will allow the park to remain fully operational throughout the build and existing businesses to continue trading.”

David Lyons, Derwent Holdings group managing director, said: “We are making a significant investment in modernising the facilities at White City and providing additional retail space at what is already a well established out-of-town shopping destination.

“We’re pleased to have Russells Construction on board once again and look forward to the completion of the project in spring next year.”