OWNERS of The Mall at Cribbs Causeway want to add a two-storey extension and a new entrance to the complex to meet demands of big-name stores.

The regional shopping centre, with its 135 shops and thousands of staff, has seen only limited changes to its floor space since opening in 1998.

Although boasting major chains such as John Lewis and Marks and Spencer, many of its units are not big enough to attract new shops.

Only those two anchor stores, as well as Boots, BHS and Next, have space on a scale to attract key chains – but none are vacant so the Mall cannot attract new names. Meanwhile at rival centre Cabot Circus, shops occupied by fashion firms are on average nearly 60 per cent bigger than at The Mall.

So bosses have come up with a scheme to provide another 1,896 sq m of shop floor space and create a "visually prominent" pedestrian entrance from the north car park.

They said by itself, it would result in only a small increase in overall shopping space but it would be enough to persuade a national fashion store to move in and could lead to an extra 118 jobs being created.

There is also a bigger plan to provide an even greater amount of space in future, in line with South Gloucestershire Council's support of expansion through its emerging development blueprint for the district.

With thousands of homes set to be built in the area, the council wants to create a town centre as part of the new neighbourhood and remodelling will better integrate Cribbs Causeway into that community.

The area within The Mall put forward for the first extension is a unit currently occupied by Dorothy Perkins and Burtons. The aim is to extend it over the north service road and create a new level above by raising the height of part of the roof, creating a single bigger unit of more than 3,000 sq m.

Dorothy Perkins/Burton is said to be looking to relocate within The Mall when its lease expires in 2013.

The eventual occupier of the expanded unit is unknown but managers want to attract a leading fashion retailer.

A report with the planning application said: "The evolution of the centre, ensuring it can keep pace with retailer requirements, is considered to be essential if it is not to decline in real terms."

At present, the centre provides 66,000 sq m of retail space but John Lewis recently won permission to extend its top floor into two redundant areas.

As reported in the Evening Post, the department store revealed the economic downturn had taken its toll and action was needed to tackle falling sales. The success of Cabot Circus had also affected trade but the chain felt expansion would improve layout and fittings, increase the number of lines and bring the store up to the standards of its newer branches.

Meanwhile South Gloucestershire Council's core strategy document makes provision for a total of 35,000 sq m of extra floorspace at The Mall by 2026.

But most of that will not happen until the adoption of a master plan for the development of a new neighbourhood and thousands of homes in the Cribbs Causeway, Patchway and Filton area, with shopping, hotels, offices and cultural, leisure and recreational uses all featuring.

The Mall's commercial director Jon Edwards said it was imperative to adapt to meet the needs of national retailers, who were increasingly seeking bigger units, and to maintain the centre's regional importance.

He said: "The council is advocating allocating additional retail space at The Mall within the new core strategy. We feel this is a positive step and as the owners are major stakeholders and employers in the region, we will continue to actively engage with the council as the draft strategy progresses and await the next stages of this process with interest."

Council spokeswoman Sarah Hudspith said: "In order to support The Mall and enable it to keep its competitive position, the core strategy allows for its expansion. This will be phased and tied to the creation of the new town centre."