BOURNEMOUTH town centre's Burlington Arcade will be given a facelift if proposals submitted are agreed by council planners.

Beermount Limited, the property company owning the building, wants to alter both facades of the arcade, which is within a conservation area and links Old Christchurch Road with St Peter's Road.

Other changes include replacement windows at upper floors, a replacement archway structure with integrated advertising tv monitors and a new artificial hedge on Old Christchurch Road.

The proposals also include alterations to the St Peter's Road canopy and new lighting.

Scaffolding has already been erected at the St Peter's Road facade.

A design and access statement, prepared for the application by Pure Town Planning, stated: "It is considered that the existing building makes a negative contribution to the conservation area as identified by previous applications and therefore it is considered the proposals will have no detrimental impact upon nearby heritage assets."

No change to the overall scale of the building are proposed, and the area is close to Beale Place –the latest section of the town centre to have been revamped.

Shopper William Dixon told the Echo: "The place looks a little tired but I often cut through on my way into town.

"There are some nice shops and businesses here. A bit of a makeover would be welcome."

Pure Town Planning says the proposed alterations have been designed to improve the appearance of both frontages and have been "driven by the aspiration to modernise the entrance and internal environment."

They add: "The proposed new archway feature onto Christchurch Road is sleek and simple in form with clean, sharp lines which compliments the style of the building representing an interesting architectural design which together with the new windows and artificial hedge will make a positive contribution to the built environment.

"The introduction of modern technology in the form of tv/monitors to both frontages have been designed and incorporated within a high quality material finish such that they will sit harmoniously within the respective street scenes and would not detrimentally impact on the character and appearance of the area."

Comments on the proposals can be lodged with BCP Council's planning department online.