The new-look Orange Central (formerly the Metroplaza on Summer Street), launched on Saturday.

It caters to the idea of shopping as an experience, not just a chore.

Bathrooms, parents’ facilities and eateries are designed to make it comfortable for people to spend much time browsing and buying.

Orange Central marketing manager Catherine McCartney said support for businesses and a convenient meeting place for customers have contributed to the success of the shopping centre concept in regional and metropolitan areas.

Orange Central is refurbished and has 1200 square metres extra retail space.

“We’ve been able to attract national franchises which haven’t been beyond the Blue Mountains before,” Ms McCartney said.

New stores include Tarocash, Colorado and Wallace Bishop.

Orange Mayor John Davis and State Member for Orange Russell Turner attended the launch and praised Orange’s ability to attract and sustain development.

Ms McCartney said Orange would benefit economically from the $18 million redevelopment.

“There have been a lot of jobs created by this.

“We used over 400 builders and plumbers and other tradespeople just on the building,” she said.