New computer-generated images show how key landmarks in a Kent district are set to be upgraded if a £33 million bid for government funding is successful.

Canterbury City Council is hopeful of securing Levelling Up cash to transform multiple areas in both the city and Herne Bay.

Two separate bids have been lodged as the authority tries to help the district's “stagnating economy”.

Bosses believe the Canterbury project can boost falling visitor numbers and bring 200,000 more people to the city annually by 2027.

They want to tap into the tourism potential of Canterbury’s under-utilised heritage assets, as well upgrade the city’s gardens and bus station.

The £20 million Levelling Up proposal - backed by MP Rosie Duffield - was submitted to the government this summer along with a separate bid for £13 million to improve Herne Bay’s seafront.

In the submission, the council stressed the need for the cash.

“Despite its iconic place in the history of England, the reality is that Canterbury is failing to offer a diverse and attractive experience to visitors and lags behind its peers,” the council said.

“This is impeding the city’s ability to recover fully from the pandemic.

“Canterbury was losing international tourists and struggling to retain staying visitors even before tourist numbers collapsed through the pandemic.

“The city has often relied on visitor trips linked to the Cathedral, however, the Cathedral itself has seen falling visitor numbers and those visitors see limited appeal for the rest of the city’s offer.

“Key parts of the public realm and pedestrian environment have deteriorated in quality or are underused which has constrained growth and is damaging public pride in the city.”

Should the authority be granted the funding, it believes the improvements will spark a £10.9 million yearly increase in visitor spending.

Poor Priests Hospital is planned to become a creative learning centre and riverside cafe, while numerous city green spaces - such as Solly’s Orchard and Greyfriars - will become ‘story gardens’.

Council chiefs are hopeful the changes can see “civic pride be restored”, with an “opportunity to galvanise local people” into taking pride in where they live.

The striking new images show how the city wall is proposed to become a green walkway akin to Manhattan’s High Line park, while a new ‘shared space’ square at Westgate Towers is planned.

Unlike the failed traffic trial 10 years ago, vehicles will still be able to pass through the towers - but the area will be turned into a ‘public realm’ which can at times be traffic-free for major events.

Other aspirations - including a new visitor centre at the Guildhall, skate park in Tannery Field and a makeover for the Dane John Gardens - have been outlined in the Gazette previously.

They, however, do not form part of the bid for Levelling Up cash, and are instead part of the overarching Canterbury’s Tales of England project which is set to seek other forms of funding.

Meanwhile, council bosses are hopeful of securing Levelling Up funding to the tune of £13 million to renovate the seafront, King’s Hall and bandstand in Herne Bay.

They want to transform the town by tapping into its under-utilised assets and believe the three-pronged project is key to boosting tourism potential.

They stress how the town “must raise its game” in order to draw in a bigger audience.

In the submission, the local authority stressed the need for the project.

“These prominent seafront heritage assets are tired and in a poor, declining condition,” the council said.

“They are failing to offer full value to the community and visitors, and without more investment the prospect of further deterioration and closure of assets is a real prospect.

“Herne Bay’s economy is stagnating. Its reliance on short-duration, low-value day visits has failed to translate into impactful volumes of higher-value staying visits and the number of annual staying trips had not changed over the six years prior to 2020.

“Three interlinked projects will transform the appearance and vitality of Herne Bay’s central seafront, make the town a hub for popular music and stimulate private investment in other seafront properties.”

Council chiefs outlining their vision for the Bay are confident the once-thriving King’s Hall is brimming with potential.

They believe a well-executed revamp of its offering can put the town “firmly on the UK map” as a top destination.

They want to expand its capacity, open a seafront bar/café, improve acoustics and create a professional music production suite.

It is hoped that it will attract high-quality performers and be used as a state-of-the-art production suite that can be hired out.

Meanwhile, there are aspirations for the bandstand to be used as a “space for hospitality and entertainment”.

It will also be equipped with a new bike hub, toilets and changing facilities to restore its place as a central seafront meeting point and activity hub.

Currently in a poor condition and partially closed, the venue would be fully repaired and restored to allow space for more informal live music.

New seating is also proposed for the promenade between the King’s Hall and bandstand, with lighting to illuminate the clocktower at night being installed.

The council’s submission states: “A step change is clearly needed to improve Herne Bay’s offer as it cannot rely on low-value day visits and visitors ‘dispersed’ from Canterbury.

“It must raise its game by diversifying the tourism product and attracting more investment to appeal to a contemporary audience.”

The bid also proposes a new cycle and walking route, providing a safe and attractive link from Greenhill to the railway station and Memorial Park.

New prime minister Rishi Sunak has committed to continuing with the Levelling Up pledge made by his party in 2019.

Michael Gove has been reappointed as minister for the programme, and the city council is set to find out the results of its bids in the coming weeks.

The £4.6 billion scheme is aimed at boosting often-overlooked places by allowing them to undergo redevelopments.