London & Continental Railways and Network Rail are planning to build over 130,000 sq ft of retail space in levels below the former Waterloo international terminal station platforms.

The scheme is aimed to bring the station’s shopping offer up to the standard set by Birmingham New Street and St Pancras International.

Plans also include dramatically improving the public realm fronting Cab Road and improved linkages to Leake Street and Lower Marsh, acting as a retail draw for the redevelopment of the nearby Shell Centre.

The two-year reconstruction plan is expected to cost around £60m, excluding shop fit-out.

The major retail plan forms part of the £800m remodelling of Waterloo, which includes bringing five former Eurostar platforms into use for regular commuter services by Network Rail.

Skanska is carrying out the major infrastructure works including lengthening existing local service platforms and reopening the former Eurostar platforms.

Proposals predominantly comprise glass shop fronts that will be integrated into the existing façade to creat new exterior public realm around Leake Street

New escalators will be installed to link all shopping levels under the plans drawn up by architects Corstophine & Wright