A multi-million-pound project to transform one of Canterbury’s most historic locations will signal a “new era” as its gateway into the city, local business owners believe.

Work is set to start next year on a continental-style square in the shadow of the Westgate Towers as part of wider regeneration proposals.

It will see the lower end of St Peter’s Place - in front of the famous landmark - reimagined with new paving and landscaping creating a square “less dominated” by traffic.

But Canterbury City Council (CCC) stresses it is not technically a ‘shared space’, but designed to be more aesthetically appealing and pedestrian-friendly

The new layout will also allow better use of the area for special events a handful of times a year when the road is closed, such as for the Medieval Pageant and the Christmas lights parade.

A fresh feature overlooking the square will be a new coffee house and wine bar in the former Barretts Jaguar showroom, with fresh CGIs of the venue released this week.

Called Fellons, it is the latest venture of business partners Steve Allen and James Caldon, who already run a bar/restaurant and escape room attraction at the towers, which they were awarded the lease for in 2014.

The new cafe will open as part of the Paul Roberts development of student accommodation providing 143 bedrooms, known as Westgate One.

“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,” said Mr Allen.

“The iconic medieval towers always deserved to be better showcased and we were privileged to become the custodians of the building.

“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.”

It has been a decade since Mr Allen and Mr Caldon took over the vision for the Westgate Towers and former police station and jail - previously the home of Kent Music School - from architect Charles Lambie, who tragically died in 2012 aged 47 before his ideas came to full fruition.

They opened The Pound bar in 2015 and later Escape In The Towers, which has three escape room experiences and another medieval-themed one due to be added next year.

“It’s such a special building and we look forward to marking our 10th anniversary with the new experiences launching next year,” Mr Allen said.

A CCC spokesman says when work at Westgate Square is completed, the road itself will “operate exactly as it does now”.

“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,” he said.

“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 Westgate is just one of many areas of the city that will benefit from government levelling-up funding following a successful bid for almost £20 million by CCC.

The project, called Connected Canterbury: Unlocking the Tales of England, will see the money spent on transforming the city’s public spaces and heritage “to a standard that reflects its status as an international visitor destination and World Heritage Site”, say council bosses.

The aim is to create a “green arrival experience” across the city, with the upgrading of spaces like the bus station to include electric vehicle charging and cycle hire.

There will also be 'story gardens' that use innovative technology to tell the story of Canterbury as part of England's history.

New trails and cycling routes will be signposted to connect people to heritage sites.

The council is now considering tenders for the Westgate Square project, with work due to start next year.

Among the other historic locations to be upgraded is the Dane John Gardens, which includes sympathetic designs for a new cafe with covered seating to replace the existing Don Juan, which is currently out to tender.

Work has already started on restoring Canterbury Castle and the Poor Priests Hospital.

Further funds have been set aside to enhance the memorial gardens fronting the former Nasons in the High Street.

The city’s bus station is also due to be enhanced.

But the council says it will not be able to replace the bus shelters as originally hoped.

Instead, they will be receiving a deep-clean so Stagecoach can maintain them to a high level in the future.

Improving access to the bus station is said to remain a priority and the council plans to widen the footways around the trees to make it safer and easier for pedestrians to navigate.

New paving, improved lighting and resurfacing of St George’s Lane will also be undertaken.