NEW retail units will be added to a shopping centre as part of an improvement plan.

The entrance to The Grove Centre, in Witham, will also be revamped to open up the front of the centre.

There will be new signage to improve visibility, a wider entrance and columns will be removed from the front.

A planning application submitted to Braintree Council last Tuesday said: "The design seeks to improve a badly designed entrance that detracts from the surrounding buildings.

"The centre is effectively invisible to those unfamiliar with the town.

"As a first stage the Window to the Womb unit will be removed and active retail created on the opposite side with two kiosks.

"The entrance route into the centre is obstructed with columns, the proposal will remove one of these columns introducing new structure to create a wider more welcoming approach to the centre."

A decision is due to be made by June 13.