Property investment and development group Town Centre Securities (TCS) has been given the green light to proceed with the New Front leisure scheme at Leeds' Merrion Centre.

The multi-million pound development will seethe transformation of 80,000sq ft (7,432sq m) of retail space into a leisure destination adjacent to the new 13,500-capacity Leeds Arena.

Seven units ranging in size from 420sq ft (39sq m) to 30,000sq ft (2,787sq m) will house a gym, bars and restaurants, with the largest unit already let to existing tenant 1st Bowl.

Public realm works are also planned in order to improve the outdoor area with provision for continental-style street café seating, along with the revamp of the multi-storey car park.

BDP's Manchester office has been appointed to design the development, with work to get underway in early 2012. The scheme will be completed ahead of the Leeds Arena opening.

TCS associate director Helen Beckett said: "New Front is in a fantastic location in a busy part of Leeds city centre, which is already popular with shoppers, students and office workers.

"With planning consent in place, we can now realise our ambition and bring forward this new high quality leisure destination, with improved public realm and up-graded car parking."

Leeds City Council executive board member responsible for city development Richard Lewis added: "This scheme is clear evidence of the positive and catalytic effect of the arena development on regeneration in the city centre and the wider region."