While the Coles Group neither confirmed nor denied talk of a multi-million dollar renovation, first mooted last August, a spokeswoman did say works commenced on Monday.

The spokeswoman said the "official and exciting" list of refurbishment works would include re-surfacing the car park, installation of shade sails, installation of lighting under the shade sails, cleaning and re-painting the exterior of the building, repainting entry signs, pressure cleaning all external walkways, installation of new air curtains at auto door entries, repairs to stairs and handrails, trimming of trees, a tidy of surrounding gardens and replacing broken floor tiles.

The spokeswoman said works would greatly enhance the centre and provide greater comfort for customers while shopping.

"Coles started some refurbishment work to Kmart Plaza shopping centre in Mount Isa earlier this week to help improve the shopping experience for the local community," the spokesperson said.

"We will install shade sails to part of the car park and works will be undertaken with minimal disruption to trade or centre access, and we expect the majority of these refurbishments to be completed before Easter, with the shade sails installed just after Easter."

The Coles Group bought the centre in September 2011 which led to talk of the addition of a Target, a double-storey car park and an extension to Coles' grocery store.

Mount Isa Chamber of Commerce president Brett Peterson said detailed plans of the plaza's upgrading had remained under wraps, and he felt for those residents who had been excited for renovations to occur to the complex.

"The rumour mill is as thick as it can get when it comes to what is happening at Kmart Plaza," he said.

Mr Peterson said the recent closure of Millers to join two other empty retail spaces would see more residents opting for online purchases rather than visiting the dated shopping centre which had a number of empty stores.

"Shop owners are trying excessively hard to give customers a great experience with what they have in that centre, but the likes of the building needs a hell of a lot of work for more retail outlets to open up in the centre."

Mr Peterson said while stores remaining in the centre were rumoured to be trading well, people were already looking outside the square if they knew they couldn't buy what they wanted in Mount Isa.

"It's rumoured stores are shutting down because of the excess rent and period of rent they are asking business owners to pay up front," Mr Peterson said.

He urged Coles to find out what the community really wanted from their shopping centre.

"Why not make consultation with the people to see what they want, why don't they talk to the community."

"Surely that's who should come first, after all we are the ones who will make the improvements more viable, and all we want is the same shopping experience that you would get in Townsville, Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne at the end of the day; your entitled to this no matter where you live."