Construction of the Eastern Cape's biggest shopping centre, the Hemingway's Mall, kicks off today, and visitors to the adjacent Hemingway's Casino will have to use alternative parking.

The casino and hotel marketing manager, Ailsa van Wyk, yesterday said a shuttle service will be made available to take visitors from the parking lot situated at the top of Two Rivers Drive to the casino.

Developers Billion Property Group said construction on the new mall will cover all existing 600 parking bays for the casino.

The temporary parking lot offers 670 parking spots and once completed the mall will offer a total of 3500-odd parking spots.

"Work so far has been preparing the ground and the temporary parking," Billion Group's projects director James Stewart said.

According to Stewart, the new mall will extend from the casino entrance right up to the excavated area that can be seen when driving past the building site.

Van Wyk said the shuttle service will loop continuously between the new parking area and the main entrance "adding an element of safety and convenience".

Stewart said the new mega structure, consisting of hotel, cinema complex, conference facilities, casino, restaurants and mall "will in time become a beacon within East London and a destination catering for different needs within the residing and visiting population in this area".

Daily Dispatch