PLANS to overhaul a business centre in Southampton have been rubber-stamped by the city council.

Work to refurbish the Acorn Enterprise Centre may now begin later this year, after the plans were approved by council planners.

With the support of the council, the West Itchen Community Trust wants to refurbish the existing 16 industrial units at the centre in Empress Road, and build 13 new ones.

It is hoped that entrepreneurs and small businesses will set up in the units, and create hundreds of new jobs.

Discussions are still ongoing about funding the overhaul, but council chiefs approved £386,000 of spending on the work earlier this year.