THE look and feel of Hereford City Centre is set to change in the council's vision for 2020.

As part of their plans Herefordshire Council are currently working on renovating the shopping areas in the hope that more people from outside the county will see the city as a shopping destination.

Starting from the train station which is set to become a new 'transport hub' the project hopes to create the same environment for shoppers along Commercial Road as that in Commercial Street and into High Town.

The first phase of their proposal has already been partly completed and the paving seen outside HSBC is set to continue through the rest of the city centre.

Cllr David Harlow, cabinet member economy and corporate services said: "We aim to recreate the same bustling environment that can be experienced on Widemarsh Street, which links High Town to the Old Market.

"The city centre improvements will make people feel that our historic city centre is a single destination, and one that puts pedestrians, cyclists, shoppers and visitors first. With Hereford’s historic streets and architecture including Black and White House Museum at the heart of the city, we want to put Hereford on the map as a regional shopping and leisure destination that’s punching above its weight.”

The council hopes that their vision will help attract more shoppers from outside the county and create a feel of 'unity' in the city centre while retaining its historic core with the 'perfect blend between old and new'.

Between the week March 27 and April 3 almost 97,000 people visited the city centre and the busiest area was High Town followed by Commercial Street.

Plans also include the widening of the pedestrian areas and cycling infrastructure to include cycle lanes.

The transport hub will be built as part of the ‘Hereford city centre transport package’ with funding secured from the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership.

By 2020 there are plans for 800 new homes which will include an 'urban village' on the Merton Meadow site

It is hoped that the Hereford Bypass will also be 'well underway' by 2020 bringing more houses, jobs and opportunities to the city. It is hoped that this will bring more young people to the county and help address the problem of the county's ageing population.