THE entrances to the Dolphin Shopping Centre in Poole could receive a “much needed” upgrade - as part of a wider project to improve the entire centre.

A planning application has been submitted to Borough of Poole to “visually improve” the main entrances of Falkland Square, Kingland Crescent and the Bus Station entrance.

According to the Design and Access Statement submitted by Legal and General (LGP), which own the lease on the centre, the aim is to create a “simpler design approach” and “unify the building”.

The plans include recladding the entrances at Falkland Square and Kingland Crescent and improving the “appearance, lighting and signage” of the Bus Centre entrance.

There are also plans to install grey stone at the ground level of each entrance to the shopping centre. It comes after Borough of Poole agreed a £7.7m lease deal with the firm in November last year – which included an obligation for LGP to refurbish the Dolphin Centre’s interior.

The Design and Access Statement said: “The refurbishment of the entire Dolphin Shopping Centre has been undertaken to address the growing number of vacant retail units in and around the shopping centre, a problem which has in part been attributed to its current dated appearance.

“It is envisaged that the Dolphin Centre retail building will be a part of a number of buildings to be refurbished, subject to approval, as part of a wider Dolphin Centre Masterplan to transform this important area of Poole.”