A family-owned developer has completed a multi-million pound takeover of The Spires shopping centre in High Barnet.

The William Pears Group announced this afternoon that they have finalised a deal, thought to be in the region of £35million, with owners UBS Triton.

The sale includes the site of the long-standing Barnet Market, which currently operates at a dilapidated former car park in St Albans Road.

UBS had initiated plans for a badly-needed renovation of the car park but it remains unclear whether the new owners are looking to carry out the improvement works.

William Pears is expected to give full details of its plans for the shopping centre and Barnet Market in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers welcomed the announcement and said she was looking forward to working with the new owners.

Chris Nightingale, chairman of the Friends of Barnet Market, said the sale was good news but he would reserve comments until more details of the buyer’s plans are made public.