RUNDLE Mall will be transformed into an open thoroughfare with new paving, lighting and marquee stores in a $30 million plan to revive the premier retail strip.

As retailers face increasing pressure from online sales, Adelaide City Council's plan aims to create a unique shopping experience by bringing a new mix of dining and cafe stores and exclusive brands to the Mall.

Major visible changes include new hard-wearing paving, a covered event theatre in Gawler Place and more trees.

The most controversial change is a "de-cluttering" of the Mall's centre which will result in the removal of five existing businesses - including a cafe and flower sellers - from the middle of the walkway. Replacing these permanent structures will be two corridors for "pop-up" enterprises on the mall's fringes.

They will include coffee and food stores. The council has pledged that businesses shifted from the centre of the mall will be strongly encouraged to relocate nearby.

The Mall's balls and pig sculptures will remain but be moved off the central walkway.

The "de-cluttering" begins in December. Heavy construction will start next February, take a year to complete and progress in 30m increments to limit disruption to existing traders.

The detailed plan, to be released today, follows the announcement of a broad precinct masterplan in October.

It was estimated to cost $60 million and included major works on laneways running off the Mall, but these have now been shelved.

Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood said the council had fully budgeted for the $30 million project, which includes $5 million set aside in an innovation fund which can be tapped by businesses with "creative activation" proposals.

"Whether it's the laneways, up-storey activation or facade treatments, we're looking at the first time in a long time at collaborative finance with the private sector to stimulate activity in the city," he said.

"De-cluttering the Mall is going to make it easier to navigate, have people able to see the shops and high-quality architecture, which is a key point of difference.

"The mall is not a shopping centre, it's unique."

The council's Mall spending is in addition to its approval of a $24 million Victoria Square revamp.

The State Government expects to have the $570 million Adelaide Oval redevelopment complete by 2014 and is working on a major overhaul of the Liquor Licensing Act to promote Melbourne-style small bars.

Adelaide City Council chief executive Peter Smith said the Mall had to become an active place during the day and night and provide shoppers with experiences that could not be matched by suburban or online trading.

He said the "de-cluttered" Mall would allow the council and traders to be more flexible.

"It has to be a place where people want to be," Mr Smith said. "We've created a stage. We could put a night food market down the middle. The shops can open if they want.

"That's the whole point of the change - we've created a place of changing experiences for people."

The council is taking on substantial new debt to fund its mall and square vision. The Government gave $2 million for detailed square design and the council is likely to push for more at the next election campaign.

Borrowing for the two projects will increase council debt by $10.8 million over two years.

My Yarwood said the plan had "unanimous support from council" and its cost was very manageable. However, it still needs formal approval over the next two weeks. Additional stages could be added to the Mall upgrade if the money was found.

Originally published as Rundle Mall to get $30m makeover