SHOPPERS at the Brunel Shopping Centre will soon be able to take a break after plans for a new 16,000 square foot food court were announced.

The centre has revealed that it will be all change on the first floor of the centre, with seven new food outlets and two kiosks being created to give the centre a new culinary heart.

The area will be called The Crossing and will be located in the area around the existing link bridge between Brunel Arcade and Brunel Plaza on the first floor of the shopping centre. It will also benefit from a direct link from Canal Walk via a new escalator entrance.

It is hoped that, subject to planning permission, The Crossing will open in spring or summer of next year. It will also incorporate a brand new play zone, an event space, charge points for mobile devices, free super-fast Wi-Fi plus a click and collect point.

Kevin Gwilliam, the general manager at The Brunel Shopping Centre, said: “We are always looking at how we can enhance the shopping experience for our customers and for some time we’ve recognised that the town centre needed more places to eat.

“Not only will The Crossing be offering good quality modern and fresh fast food there will be new facilities too. We know this development will be of great benefit to town centre shoppers as well as those who work and live close by.”

Shops that are currently situated in this area are currently in the process of moving to other units within the centre.

James Raspin is asset manager for FI Real Estate Management (FIREM) who manages the centre. He said: “The Crossing will build on the recent improvements in the town. It’s still early days and we’re in the planning stages, but we’re optimistic there will be overwhelming support for this exciting and much needed enhancement at The Brunel.”