Redevelopment of its 220,000 sq ft Cathedral Plaza shopping centre will create seven new restaurants, overlooking a new public square in front of the cathedral and remodelled shops, a gym and foodstore.

Nick Webb from the Salmon Harvester Opportunity Fund said: “We have been working in partnership with both city and county councils and have been very pleased with the positive approach both have taken to the project as this is exactly the type of investment the city centre needs.”

The existing shopping mall will be opened up and the new public square built at the site of a roundabout between Deansgate and College Street.

The project is expected to start early next year with the new restaurants and shops open for spring 2016.

Leslie Jones Architecture designed the redevelopment and refurbishment project, with the London office of Stace acting as project manager and Manchester based Foreman Roberts M&E consultant.