LOOKING after customers will be the top priority of Halton Lea's new centre director Martyn Jones.

Speaking exclusively to the World this week, he pledged to put shoppers first as he unveiled his exciting plans to revitalise the centre.

He only took up his new post three weeks ago but has already identified gaps in facilities provided for shoppers.

He is also preparing to launch the most exciting magical Christmas event ever staged in Runcorn

The extravaganza is being co-ordinated by Lindsay Watson, who has just been appointed as Halton Lea's first ever marketing manager. Her job is to promote the centre.

Together, they plan to give shoppers first class service.

"Customer care is something I will be looking at," said centre director Martyn Jones, who has 22 years retail experience.

Customer toilets and shopmobility, he said, are just two of the areas he hopes to develop.

"We hope to have a customer care team based here, raising standards throughout the centre. Offering customers what they want is very very important."

Free parking, he believes, is already a big asset. The car parks are currently undergoing major refurbishment.

He said shoppers have been amazed at how bright and welcoming car park six has become since it was painted white and revamped.

Mr Jones plans to launch a customer forum in the coming months to give shoppers a chance have their say and make suggestions.

He is confident the new retail park being built at the adjacent southern loop will attract more businesses to move in.

The new development, he said, may pave the way for Sunday trading, as most of their business will be at the weekends.

New stores are already expressing an interest in Halton Lea.

"There are three or four proposed lettings in the pipeline," said Mr Jones, who has worked for the landlord, Fordgate, for the past seven years.

"My job is not directly with the lettings although I will have a far greater influence on the retail mix.

"I will personally show round any prospective purchaser."

Mr Jones has extensive experience of all aspects of the retail trade.

He has worked in supermarkets, Lewis' department store and even spent six years abroad in ladies and gents fashion in South Africa.

He has just left a top job transforming the Pallisades shopping centre in Birmingham into an extremely successful complex.

Mr Jones is determined to use his expertise and business acumen to bring new life into Halton Lea.

"I have left a high profile shopping centre and come here to do a job," said Mr Jones, who spends three hours a day travelling to and from Telford.

"Halton Lea has gone through a very bad time. We have got to get our act together.

"We have various projects planned. Christmas is going to be absolutely spectacular. The landlord is paying for professionals to come in and devise an amazing magical show.

"It is the first time the landlord has appointed a marketing manager. We feel it is important for someone to be responsible for marketing and promoting the centre.

"We want people to come back here time and time again."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.