An artist’s impression of what the paved area outside the new Debenhams store in Stevenage will look like has been released this week.

The image aims to help shoppers get their heads round what the store and surrounding area will look like when it opens for business on the Roaring Meg retail park in the autumn of 2017.

A spokesman said: “We are renovating this area at the park to make it more attractive for our customers.

“By incorporating a community space within the area we hope to encourage local groups and schools to make use of this area once the renovation is complete.”

The outside improvements at the park, which has entrances off Monkswood Way and London Road, will include colour co-ordinated paving, three planters with seating, replacement lighting columns and litter bins, an events space, 14 cycle stands and replacement bollards.

The blueprint was approved by Stevenage Borough Council in August but the image was not released until Tuesday.

The area will also be in front of children’s shop Toys R Us.

In a separate announcement which will see more changes on the edges of the town centre, Adventure Leisure Ltd confirmed yesterday that it will be building the county’s only 36-hole adventure golf complex on the Stevenage Leisure Park after plans were approved last month.

Operations and development director Hugh Knowles said: “Our concept provides the perfect way to introduce kids to the game of golf on a fun level, while the two challenging courses will also provide entertainment for those of the older generation.”

The indoor facility should be open to the public by spring next year and will also include a fully licensed bar and separate party areas for evening entertainment.

The site will be next door to the former Smilin’ Sams building which has already been given permission for conversion into a trampoline park and TGI Friday’s restaurant.