The artist's impression and details of what will replace the '60s Post Office building were unveiled by regeneration company Opportunity Peterborough at a meeting yesterday (May 27).

Work will begin by December and the plans can be seen in Queensgate on Friday, May 30th.

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The images show the modern Corn Exchange building, which squats next to the 15th century St John the Baptist church, flattened to make way for the attractive public square as a new focal point for the city centre.

The cafe, intended to be a striking building in its own right, sits on the square and trees have been planted to soften the grim exterior of Queensgate.

People lounge on new seating put in place to encourage them to stop and linger.

And an open "vista" has been created, with the new plaza looking out towards Cross Street and along it to Priestgate.

Leader of the council Cllr John Peach said a planning application to demolish the Corn Exchange should be submitted over the next two weeks. He added: "Once we get that building knocked down, we can have a lovely public square that will really enhance the city centre.

"If we take down some of the railings around the church, light up the Guildhall at night and put down some high-quality paving stones and public furniture, it will really brighten the area up."

A key role in the makeover is given to Cathedral Square, which is seen as having the potential to become a

"large flexible space right in the heart of the city".

As The ET reported earlier this year, the proposals also include the installation of a water feature, such as ground level jets which gush upwards.

Director of strategic growth for Opportunity Peterborough Steve Bowyer said preliminary work on Cathedral Square could begin before Christmas with plans to demolish the Corn Exchange in the autumn of next year.

However, Cllr Peach admitted there was the issue of what to do with its current tenants including the post office.

He said: "Certainly from the council's point of view, we want to retain the branch in the city centre, but the Post Office seems reluctant to talk to us at the moment."

The proposals for St John's Square and Cathedral Square are contained in a document called the Public Realm Strategy.

It will be available for inspection at an Opportunity Peterborough stand in the Queensgate shopping centre on Friday, where members of the team will be available to answer questions.

It can also be obtained online at www.opportunitypeterborough.co.uk, or by phoning 01733 317417.