The transformation of Prescot's Market Place will begin in early 2018, following the announcement of a winning design for the historic site.
This week Knowsley Council and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) selected Mark Wray Architects with Seed Landscape to deliver the new look.
Earlier this year, the RIBA competition invited design proposals to transform the unused area in the centre of the town. The brief asked teams to create a landmark space that will be well used by the public and can be enjoyed all year round.
The contest attracted 45 entrants from around the world, eventually narrowed down to a shortlist of five.
The winning proposal takes its inspiration from the forums of ancient Rome, creating a flexible space for leisure, relaxation and community activities.
The long-redundant WC block will house a community-run cafe, and terraced seating will replace the wall to the north of the site.
The public space will create a foyer, or gateway, to Shakespeare North's new theatre and the area surrounding the 17th-century church of Saint Mary's.
Work is expected to be complete by summer 2018.
I like it! A good solid traditional space for people to enjoy and to serve more than one purpose. Love the café, should have outside seating in the summer, and the space can be used for entertainment and outdoor theatre as Prescott develops and changes. Room for a few more benches too perhaps.