A MARKETING manager has given an insight into the new owner’s plans for Boscombe’s Sovereign Centre.

Lucy Mitchell from New River Retail was speaking at the February meeting of Boscombe Business Forum.

Her company paid £12million for the centre last year and it became their 14th in the UK.

She told traders the company believed shopping centres operate as part of the community as a whole.

She also said that one focus would be having more public events like the popular appearance by the animatronic robot Titan.

Other priorities were ensuring customers feel safe and extending the centre’s catchment area.

Another idea was new Retail Merchandising Units – the industry term for the advertising and retail stands in the malls.

Lucy was also “excited” about the way the owners could help businesses use social media like Facebook to market themselves.