PEOPLE turned out in their droves to get a first look at designs for their reborn shopping area.

Plans for the Triangle shopping parade, in Langdon Hills, went on public display yesterday, as architects showed off designs for the complex, which burned down ten months ago.

The rebuilt parade will cost in the region of £700,000, but residents and shop owners gave a mixed response to the rebuild, which will contain six shops and six flats above them.

The plans were displayed at the nearby Royal British Legion centre, off High Road.

Keira Harris, who owns Elizabeth Louise Hair and Beauty Salon at the complex, said: “It’s something good that is coming out of something bad and we’re pleased with the plans.

“It’s something that gives a complete facelift to the whole area and now we’re just waiting for something to happen, as we were told the rebuild could start in October, which obviously won’t happen now.”

Her shop, and the three others – Martin McColl Newsagents, Hong Kong House Chinese, and the Chip Shop, have all indicated they will return to the rebuilt complex.

Pending planning permission, it is hoped work will start by the end of the year, with rumours circulating that one of the extra units could become a cafe.

Sheila Legett, of nearby Berry Lane, said: “I’m a bit disappointed they have chosen to put flats above it, because that’s more excuse for littering.

“When they first were talking about a rebuild, they were talking about wooden cladding which would have made it look like a warehouse, so this design doesn’t look too bad.”

The authority received £544,000 from the complex’s insurers after the fire, which took place in January. An extra £150,000 was added to the fund from the council’s coffers.

Simon Jones, 47, of Berry Lane, added: “It’s a major transformation and a complete change from before, and it looks like a commercial building, so I’m a bit concerned about how much it could affect my house price.

“I live opposite it, and I might want to sell in a few years’ time, but what if it decreases my price by £20,000? I would use it out of convenience though.”