THE shopping scene in Paarl is about to undergo a transformation and upgrade.

On Wednesday the Platinum Mile Group of local investors will open their R20 million retail centre in the main street of Paarl.

The 4 250m2 site is in a strategic position right next to the headquarters of KWV, which sold seven erven to Platinum Mile as part of its much publicised consolidation and rationalisation programme. Two of the plots had houses on them and a portion of the rest was used as a parking area.

The centre will be known as Vineyard Centre. It will be the first in Paarl to offer basement parking as well as air conditioning throughout. What is more, the basement parking will be free to customers.

Finance for the project has been provided through Cape of Good Hope Bank's Northern Suburbs branch.

The branch's regional manager, Brett Webb, said his team had had 'absolutely no hesitation' in recommending the complex for finance because, he said, 'it has all the elements that make for a total success'.

'The most important of these, as always in property, is its position, right on the main road,' said Webb.

Ample parking - for 180 vehicles - and an 'highly appropriate modern Boland design with a recognisable Cape flavour' were under advantages, he said. The design was conceived by the Remey Group's project manager, Marius Theron and Henk Smith of Smith & Smith Architects.

Theron said that initially there had been concern about the design.

'The site was partially occupied by low rise houses which, although lacking any architectural merit, were fairly unobtrusive.

'It was feared that our building would be out of keeping with Paarl's architecture. However, negotiations with the SA Heritage Trust quickly resolved all these difficulties.'

Theron said the centre would present a 'friendly, welcoming face' to the main road, the shops on that side opening on to the parking area and protected by a covered walkway.

In addition, said Theron, the developers have kept all the historic, very attractive oak trees on the site except one that was diseased and has had to go. The rest, he said, were looking exceptionally good as a result of the new spring foliage and the excellent winter rains.

One oak tree, in fact, has been incorporated into the building and restaurant customers will be able to look on to it.

The restaurant will be one of the popular Dros chain and will occupy 400 m2 in a custom designed section.

The main anchor tenant will be Spar with 2 300 m2 which is transferring from another Paarl site. Also transferring from a nearby site will be Westermans Chemist, who is taking 320 m2.

The complex will have 18 shops in all. At this stage, said Theron, only three have not been signed for but he believes these will be taken up before the opening.

Theron paid tribute to Webb and his team at Cape of Good Hope Bank.

'It is sometimes forgotten that projects of this kind cannot get off of the ground without finance.'