WORK is set to start on the revamp of a street in Poole's town centre - which will become a new boutique shopping area called Kingland.

Over the next few months the units at Kingland Crescent will be stripped out and the buildings completely repainted.

It is part of a wider £26 million scheme, from Legal & General, to breathe new life into central Poole and the Dolphin Shopping Centre.

Some start-ups are even being offered financial incentives to take up places along the new street, in the form of free rent and business rates for 24 months.

Bournemouth Echo:

Denz Ibrahim, head of retail and futuring at LGIM Real Assets (Legal & General) said: "The mission for our retail places at LGIM Real Assets is to design incredible places for people.

"We are super excited to be launching Kingland, a brand new boutique street in the heart of Poole, celebrating local makers and ideas, completely curated by Dorset-based creative director Hollie Newton."

Bournemouth Echo:

Hollie said: "Contrary to the relentless doom and gloom coming from the high street,this is a good news story. We've been inundated with applications.

"To be able to bring so many homegrown brands and start-ups to Kingland Crescent, at a time like this, is a game changer for everyone involved."

Bournemouth Echo:

Legal & General purchased the shopping centre in 2013, before agreeing a lease restructuring agreement with the then Borough of Poole in June 2017.

On the Kingland Crescent revamp, Mr Ibrahim said: "This will be the first of many locally focussed projects to be introduced to The Dolphin Centre, offering a home to some of the most brilliant and entrepreneurial young businesses from across the UK.

Bournemouth Echo:

"It is an incredibly exciting time for Poole and The Dolphin Centre.”

The wider Legal & General plans for Poole town centre include the planned development of a cinema complex.

However, no firm date for the start of this stage of the scheme has yet been confirmed.