REGIONAL shopping mall Westgate Shopping Centre in Roodepoort is set to undergo a major refurbishment.

However, Westgate centre manager Gerda Visagie says the refurbishment is "definitely not a response" to the newly opened middle-to-up-market R500m Clearwater shopping centre in Roodepoort.

According to Visagie, the Westgate refurbishment has been in the planning stage for four years. Construction work on Westgate, which is located on Ontdekkers Road in Roodepoort, will begin next month. The project is scheduled to be completed in October.

The cost involved has not been disclosed.

Areas to be upgraded include all six entrances, which will see some architectural changes, as well as some landscaping.

The paid parking decks, lighting in all external parking areas, external directional signage and lighting levels on the lower level of the centre will also be upgraded. Tile cladding will be applied to all freestanding mall columns.

Management says a number of new tenants will also be included to enhance the centre.