Demolition work is set to begin at Mitchell Way today.

The first phase of the Mitchell Way redevelopment plans will get under way on Tuesday, May 3, when demolition works to remove vacant units begin.

It is expected to take nine weeks to clear the properties at 30-40 Mitchell Way, which will then allow the next stage of the development to proceed.

During the demolition period, the car park behind the current shops will remain open, although there may be temporary changes to how vehicles enter and leave the car park.

Redevelopment plans for Mitchell Way, in Alexandria, were approved by councillors in March, which once completed will include a new Lidl shop and a three-storey development of homes and retail units.

The Lidl store will also have a car park with 145 spaces, which is to be created in the area of land being cleared by the demolition work.

Council leader Cllr Martin Rooney told the Reporter: “This is a significant milestone in the plans to regenerate Alexandria Town Centre. The council is committed to improving economic growth and by redeveloping Mitchell Way it will provide a renewed focal point for the community.

"These units have been vacant for some time so I am pleased that they will now be demolished as work to breathe new life into the area gets under way.”

Councillor David McBride, Vice Convener of Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development, said he hoped the area would become "extremely popular".

He said: “Residents will be pleased to see work at Mitchell Way getting started and while there may be some disruption during the demolition this will be minimised as much as possible. This is just the start of the plans for this area and I’m sure once all the work is completed it will become an extremely popular and busy shopping area and community hub.”

As part of the demolition contract, a second phase of work will get under way once the Mitchell Way units are removed.

This will include the demolition of the former medical centre and other vacant units on Bank Street.