Builders will move into Abingdon’s tired 1960s shopping centre as work on a long awaited £4m revamp gets going.

Developer Scottish Widows Investment Partnership (SWIP) was handed planning permission for the Abbey Shopping Centre scheme in December.

It had hoped to begin work in February but legal complications delayed the start.

The developer last week appointed McLaren Construction as contractor and said work is on course to finish by Christmas.

Abingdon Chamber of Commerce president Paul Townsend, said: “McLaren’s site manager is onsite and we believe we should start to see things happening soon, the sooner the better.

“The good news is that he has already been talking to local businesses and will be available to keep us up to date with activities from now on.

“It is essential for the traders in Abingdon for the work to be completed in time for the Christmas shopping period."

The revamp will see five units make way for two large two-storey shops, the canopies removed, facades renewed and pitched roofs added.

Abingdon Town Council leader Sandy Lovatt said: “The traders are very anxious they manage to finish by Christmas so this is good news.”

He added: “The amount of money they are spending cannot be ignored and it will be a good thing for Abingdon even if it’s not perfect.”

Cameron Murray, investment director at SWIP said: “We have a clear programme to ensure that this first stage of regeneration of Abingdon town centre is delivered in time for the important Christmas trading period.”

There have been plans to redevelop the precinct for more than 20 years Matthew Barber, leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “I will be very excited to see how the work progresses and look forward to seeing Abingdon receive a real boost in the coming months.

“I would ask that residents bear with us over summer while the work is being carried out, and that they continue to visit the town centre and support our local traders in the meantime.”

SWIP’s development manager NewRiver will now focus on the second phase of the total £53m investment which will see the Charter area redeveloped.

And NewRiver director Allan Lockhart said the firm would soon start consultation.

He added: “We will take steps to publicise this consultation widely as it’s important for us to get feedback from local residents and traders on the future of the town centre before we finalise the plans.”