Based on two key themes, ‘The Granite City and its Harbour’ and ‘Aberdeen’s Maritime Heritage’, it is hoped the designs can help attract 30 big new retail names to the city.

The first will incorporate granite with portholes and will feature a food court.

The second emulates the design of the sweep of a boat’s hull and will come in harbour-inspired colours.

In addition to new retail and leisure space, there are plans for additional parking spaces and a 120-room hotel.

General manager Ryan Manson said: “The opportunity to extend Union Square is exciting and we have undertaken some initial and very early design work to explore how the extension might look, paying particular attention to the city, harbour and our maritime heritage.

“What I would like to highlight is that the proposals are at an early stage, and it is important to us that the people of Aberdeen and the wider community have an opportunity to help inform the design process.”

The design concepts were on show at Union Square over the weekend and a consultation website is now live and feedback can be provided online. The public has until October 9 to have their say.

Mr Manson added that a planning application is “likely” to be submitted to Aberdeen City Council towards the end of the year.

If the plans are approved, there would be an estimated 1,000 construction jobs and 1,000 retail jobs created by the extension, with hopes that work will start by early 2017.