Wagga Marketplace owner ISPT on Friday announced work on the facelift would begin next month.

Once complete, 20 new shops and three kiosks will be added to the CBD centre, increasing its capacity by about 3200 square metres.

In addition, 48 basement car spaces, a second lift and a second set of travelators will also be added to transport customers from the undercover carpark into the centre.

The centre's Woolworths precinct will have more food outlets and a children’s play zone.

The development will also see the revitalisation of Baylis Street, with the rebranding of the Capital Nightclub to Beer Deluxe and addition of a new alfresco dining experience, as well as the refurbishment of the Wagga Marketplace’s Morgan street retailers.

It will mark the third refurbishment of the centre since 1997, with the last in 2006.

“Our priority is to reaffirm Wagga Wagga Marketplace’s position as the community heart and centre of choice for shopping in the Riverina,” ISPT’s general manager of development services Chris McCluskey said.

“The development is set to strengthen the offer available to the local community even further.”

Additional improvements will be made to food court seating, mall furniture and new directional signage. The Marketplace will remain open throughout the redevelopment. It is expected to take 12 to 14 months to complete.

Wagga Business Chamber president James Howell said the project was another show of faith in the city.

“It’s great for the local business sector because it means more market activity,” Mr Howell said.

“More businesses means more employees and those employees will have money to spend at other local businesses. It also increases choice for local consumers.”

There are currently over 60 specialty stores in the Marketplace, with Woolworths, Big W and Australia Post its anchor tenants. The centre was originally built by Woolies but sold in 1997.