Now, however, Kenmore Capital, which acquired the centre about 15 months ago from County Properties, is close to finalising plans for what is expected to be a major upgrade.

A spokeswoman for the Edinburgh-based company said they were not yet able to say what shape their proposals — which would have to go before Dundee City Council for planning approval — would take, but the start of work might be just a matter of months away.

She added, “I think it’s likely that we will be submitting plans to the council later this year. This will be a significant improvement to the area. Kenmore Capital are going to make real changes.

“We are still formulating our plans and various things have to be negotiated and worked out, but we would hope a start can me made sometime next year. There are big plans afoot.”

When the company bought the Highgate Centre, asset management director Gregor Martin said they were aware of the property’s history, including allegations it is frequented by drug addicts.

He said proposals could even include knocking the centre down and starting again, although he believed improvements could be made without having to resort to demolition.

Architects and consultants have been employed to come up with the best way forward and the company said it is sympathetic to Dundee City Council’s long-term masterplan for Lochee.

The Highgate was formerly the subject of a redevelopment proposal that did not go ahead. County Properties announced five years ago it would spend £1 million on a makeover, but failed to carry through the plans.

Since then, the down-at-heel appearance of the centre has hardly improved.

Dundee City Council is also keen to improve Lochee’s lot and has drawn up its own scheme which includes proposals for redeveloping retailing, pedestrian and traffic management, housing to the west of the Lochee bypass and improved public transport to the High Street.

The council is understood to favour the demolition of the Highgate Centre and its replacement with something more fitting.