Planners are due to begin discussions with the public this week over a proposed £100m mixed-use redevelopment of South Shields town centre.

South Tyneside Council and developer Muse Developments are expected to showcase first-stage development plans to locals, with alterations being put forward to impact all areas of town life.

These will include improvements to shopping and leisure facilities, as well as travel and access around the town.

The first stage of the plan would see the introduction of a new Central Library and Digital Media Centre near Ferry Street on the Riverside, with designs being created by Faulkner Browns Architects.

Other improvements include adjustments to Market Place, while the project’s developers state work could begin by January 2015.

“Now that the first phases of the plans are nearing completion and we move towards submitting planning applications, we’re about to make the first steps to ensure that our town’s potential is realised,” said councillor Iain Malcolm, leader of South Tyneside Council.

“Our vision for South Shields Town Centre is to make it a place of year-round cultural, leisure and retail activity for residents, businesses and visitors. We recognise the need to offer an experience that people cannot get on the internet or at out-of-town retail parks.”

The council is to run two public consultation meetings on Thursday and Saturday of this week, to provide local people with the opportunity to help contribute to the project’s future.