WORK has started to revive a Winchester city centre shopping arcade for a few years until it is demolished as part of the Silver Hill scheme.

The city council is sprucing up Kings Walk to make it more attractive to passers-by at a cost of £385,000.

The upgrade includes integrating the Nutshell Theatre with the Kings Walk Arcade, improving the appearance of the façade and entrance along Silver Hill and enhancing existing open spaces. Lighting will be improved and the exterior has been painted.

The scheme was agreed last year as a 'meanwhile' use before the 1970s building is swept away as part of the Central WinchesterRegeneration scheme, better known as Silver Hill.

READ MORE HERE: Work to get underway at Kings Walk in Winchester

The city council does not want to spend a large amount of money on a building that is likely to be demolished under the plans being drawn up with the council's development partner Jigsaw Consortium.

But councillors are also aware of the recent worsening of anti-social behaviour in the area which recently saw the Turkish tailor being targeted.

The improvement work also includes:
•    Improved and consistent signage and wayfinding throughout Kings Walk;
•    New illuminated shop signage and improvements to the lighting;
•    New planters and planting around the Middle Brook Street and Silver Hill entrances as well as in the new courtyard area;
•    Repainting of brickwork and replacement of doors to the rear entrances of shops.

SEE MORE: Councillors approve go-ahead for revamp of shopping arcade

Hampshire Chronicle:

With rising costs due to inflation a couple of ideas were dropped earlier this year: the former post office unloading bay in Tanner Street was earmarked as an outdoor performance space and the rooftop of Middle Brook Street offices was going to be brought back into use with its striking views across the city.

Both ideas were considered as attractive but not value for money when the building will be knocked down  at some future point.