The Stratford Centre is getting ready to welcome the world to Stratford this summer by undergoing an exciting transformation.

Stage one is now very much underway with the carcass of The Shoal sculpture now in place. The sculpture, which will run for nearly half a kilometre along the great Eastern Road, will form a dramatic arrival point to visitors from Stratford train station.

The 16 metre tall poles which are now in place, will hold a series of up-lit titanium leaves that will gently move in the breeze to create a dynamic and natural motion.

The sculpture is due to be competed in the next month.

Stage two, which has just started, will involve the renovation of the external West Mall wall to the Stratford Centre.

The wall will be completely re-clad with grey terracotta tiles, new external lighting and signage, which as you can see from the artist impression, will provide a striking new entrance to the Shopping Centre. It is envisaged the work will take approximately seven weeks to complete.

The third and final stage will see the internal malls given a paint job, Central Square is now complete and the West Mall work has just started to create a fresh and clean Shopping Centre.

Andrew Norton, Centre Manager at the Stratford Centre said: “ We thank shoppers for bearing with us whilst these development works are taking place, we hope everyone likes the improvements being made to the centre.”