Set to add 30,000 sq ft to the centre, bringing the overall space to 880,000 sq ft, the revamp will introduce a nine-screen Vue cinema, nine restaurants as well as new retail and leisure facilities.

The cinema will be located on the upper level of the former BHS site while the restaurants will be located on the first floor at the east end of the centre. There will also be new retail and leisure on the ground floor.

Graeme Jones, senior asset and development manager for Sovereign Centros, said: “This is an exciting day as it marks the start of the next chapter for St. Enoch Centre.

“It is important that the centre continues to evolve and responds to the changing needs of consumers and this redevelopment sees a return to a strong focus on leisure with the addition of a cinema and new food outlets.

“Shoppers now want more than to just buy goods, they want an experience with retail and leisure combined - a place to spend time and meet friends and family and we are confident that we will deliver this at St. Enoch Centre while adding to this area of the city.”

Councillor Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council, added: “Attracting more people, families, the young and old, visitors from within Glasgow and beyond, into our city centre is a priority for the city government, not simply to promote a massive motor for our economy but to enhance the vibrancy and vitality of our streets.

“We also know that with retail and our high streets changing there is a need for our city centre to adapt and become more of a destination, offering a range of visitor experiences.”

The new development will be accessible from enhanced entrances on Dunlop Street and Osborne Street which will strengthen the link into Argyle Street and improve the overall pedestrian experience in the area.

This is the second major redevelopment over the centre’s lifetime and while there have been significant changes over the 30 years, including the refurbishment of the food court in 2017, many of the retailers have been in the centre since it opened in May 1989.

Demolition work started in autumn 2018 and the cinema, retail and restaurants are due to open in summer 2020. It is hoped to attract an additional two million people per year.