Factory is initially removed to make way for a shopping centre (4)
I believe the answer is:
mall
'for a shopping centre' is the definition.
(a mall is a large shopping complex)
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
(Other definitions for mall that I've seen before include "Shopping facility" , "Public walk" , "Covered shopping centre" , "Shopping area closed to vehicles" , "Shopping precinct" .)