Bangkok’s Silom Complex, which houses Tops Supermarket and Central Department Store, will undergo a renovation with an allotted budget of 250 million baht ($US7.9 million) this year.

Silom Complex is currently closed  and will be reopened after six to nine months, according to developer Silom Building and Services Corporation.

After the facelift, the five level centre should be more attractive to families and office workers.

Central’s renovation aims to modernise the services, products and ambience at the department store, putting it on a par with other Central department stores. It would be the first major facelift of the complex after 20 years of business.

Central Department Store, which occupies 15,000 sqm at Silom Complex, is planned to be transformed into a specialty store, with emphasis on fashion items. More local and international brands will be added to match the growing shopper’s demand.

Central will also introduce a new concept store to be called ‘Check It Out’ (CIO), a shop within a shop featuring Central’s own fashion brands. CIO will also sell essential products including IT, kitchen, bath and dining accessories.

Central Department Store Corporation plans to increase the volume of products at its other department stores such as CentralPlaza Rama 3 and Chidlom to cope with the sales losses due to the temporary closure of its branch at Silom Complex.