Huge shopping centre in much-loved Spain tourist hotspot to get £10m expansion

A shopping centre in a Spanish province beloved by British holidaymakers is set for a £10million expansion. La Cañada, which is already Malaga's biggest shopping centre, is set to add a further 20,000 square metres of retail space in a boost for shoppers and the local economy.

The retail hub currently spans 100,000 square metres, with reports suggesting it has 150 shops and restaurants, including major chains like Starbucks and high-end brands. It's situated just of the A-7 highway in Marbella, and is a major commercial centre in the Costa del Sol.

It comes after the €12million (£10.4m) expansion plan was approved by the town hall's executive committee, The Olive Press reports.

Council bosses also approved a new underground parking project two weeks ago to accommodate the anticipated uptick in visitors.

The retail space expansion will add an additional €500,000 (£433k) in associated tax revenue being paid into the municipality's coffers, officials say, reports Sur in English.

Municipal government spokesperson Félix Romero said: "This is not just about expanding the physical space, it's about expanding Marbella's commercial offerings and making the town an even bigger retail hub."

A start date for the expansion has yet to be announced.

Malaga is a popular destination among Brits, and plans boost passenger numbers at one of its major travel hubs have recently been announced.

Malaga-Costa del Sol airport is set for a £1.3 billion expansion with planning and design currently underway and construction anticipated to begin in 2029, following environmental approvals in 2028.

The current terminal will be expanded from 80,000 to 140,000 sq/m, almost doubling the flight hub's capacity.

The works aim to increase the airport's capacity to 36 million passengers per year.