SHOPPERS gave the thumbs up to a £131m leisure masterplan set to dramatically change the face of Southampton city centre.

Proposals to create a covered arena containing an Olympic-sized ice rink and a giant public square that could be the hub for nightlife went before members of the public yesterday.

As previously reported in the Daily Echo, the ambitious West Quay Phase Three project would include restaurants, hotel and a cinema. Work is likely to get under way later this year.

Yesterday's exhibition at WestQuay shopping centre, which continues today, started off the council's consultation programme.

In the coming weeks planners will also meet with residents groups and businesses across Southampton.

City council development manager Richard Smith said: "This is an important project as it follows on from the success of the building of WestQuay shopping centre. The response has been enthusiastic so far.

"The whole idea of the consultation is to get the views of the community so that amendments can be made if necessary and appropriate."

Some of the scheme, which covers a vacant 14-acre site south of the shopping centre, will go before planners in the coming weeks.

The heart of the project will be dominated by a plaza with street cafes and water features, surrounded by an area for public events. A state-of-the art arena to the west would contain Southampton's long-awaited ice rink, after the previous one was closed down 15 years ago despite public outcry.

It forms one of a handful of key sites identified by planning and design chiefs, which includes the Northern Above Bar cultural quarter and the Charlotte Place hotel redevelopment project.

The exhibition can be seen at WestQuay until the end of today or viewed at www.investinsouthampton.co.uk/westquayphase3.

SEE OUR POLL ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THIS SITE...