The city is known for its stunning cathedral. (Image: Getty)
An is set to undergo a major revamp as part of a multi-million-pound project.
In a big boost for residents and visitors of Canterbury, in , the £22million works will bring revitalisations of
A “continental-style” square is also set to be constructed near Westgate Towers as part of wider proposals for regeneration of the area, with the works a part of the government’s Levelling Up fund, reports.
This will include new paving for the area in front of the iconic landmark, in a bid to ensure it is “less dominated” by traffic, according to .
Canterbury City Council (CCC) says it won’t be a “shared space” and will make it more aesthetically appealing and better for pedestrians.
:
The £22million investment is a major boost for the area. (Image: HTA Design LLP)
Concept drawings of what the completed works could look like. (Image: HTA Design LLP)
The project will also bring a coffee house and wine bar looking out onto the square, as well as a new restaurant called Fellons in the former Barretts Jaguar showroom.
Business partners Steve Allen and James Caldon are behind the new eatery, and Allen told Kent Online there is “a big year ahead and exciting times for the Westgate, which is on the brink of a new era as a gateway to the city”.
The pair already reportedly run a bar/restaurant and escape room attraction at the towers, which they gained a lease for 2014.
Allen said the “iconic medieval towers always deserved to be better showcased and we were privileged to become the custodians of the building”.
He added: “Now, the new square and Westgate One student redevelopment, together with our new cafe/wine bar and the new experiences we are planning for the Westgate Towers, will transform the area.”
[REPORT]
The works will see some of the city’s most iconic landmarks given a new lease of life. (Image: Canterbury City Council)
A CCC spokesperson said the road will operate as it does now when the Westgate Square works are completed.
They told the outlet: “There will be pavements all the way round the perimeter, a new puffin crossing to replace the existing pelican crossing, and other informal crossing points.
“There will also be a ‘Keep Left’ sign and ‘Turn Left’ arrow from the St Peter’s Place direction. We will not be marking a centre line on the granite setts, but overall the layout will contribute towards calming traffic, improving pedestrian safety and creating a greater sense of place around the Towers.”
The project, called Connected Canterbury, will include a renovation of Dane John Gardens, and see parks including St Mary Magdalene Gardens and St Mary de Castro Gardens transformed into “story gardens” with exhibits about the history of the cathedral city, which was originally built by the Romans.