It is hoped the development will open in late 2006

Plymouth's Drake Circus scheme, which was supposed to have happened in the late 1980s, will give the city a large covered shopping mall linking to its retail centre for the first time.

The planned centre will cover over 60,000 sq metres and cost �170m.

The detailed designs were unveiled at a public exhibition of the proposals at Plymouth's Theatre Royal.

Both sides have a real willingness to make sure it happens Tudor Evans, leader Plymouth City Council

The group behind the plans, P&O Developments, describes it as the biggest retail development in the South West since Plymouth was rebuilt after the war.

"Plymouth is now the UK's largest provincial city without a modern shopping centre, a vital ingredient in every dynamic and successful town and city in Britain," said Gary Brooks, from P&O Developments.

"Can the city afford to wait any longer for these sorely-needed facilities and the run the longer term risk of being eclipsed as the pre-eminent regional centre for the South West."

Plymouth City Council leader Tudor Evans said he is excited by the project.

"We're down to the last minute negotiations that always go on between developers and councils at this stage," he said.

High quality

"What we are talking about now is some very last minute details about the design quality.

"Both sides have a real willingness to make sure it happens."

It is hoped work will start to replace the existing 1970s shopping centre and car park on the site early next year.

The aim is that the development will be open for business in late 2006.

When complete the centre will feature more than 45 shops, cafes and restaurants aimed at high quality regional, national and international fashion, sports, leisure and lifestyle retailers.