Dramatic designs for a new £1.5 million square at the heart of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter have been unveiled.

A giant TV screen, performance space and climbing wall are all set to feature in the design, along with fountains and trees.

Known as the Golden Square, the new design will feature specialist lighting and benches. The local authority wants the square to provide a focal point for visitors and shoppers.

The square will be used to hold events, markets and exhibitions.

Suggested by the earlier street pattern, the new square is subdivided into three spaces – to be known as the plaza, the orchard and the promenade.

The city council had six designs to choose from and the public helped select the winning layout, by Birmingham-based architects, Capita Lovejoy.

Designs plus explanatory notes from all six shortlisted options were placed on display in the Jewellery Quarter during April and May, giving local people the chance to have their say before a decision was taken.

The square will be located on Vyse Street in the centre of the Jewellery Quarter, which is home to more than 1,500 businesses, 200 listed buildings and produces 40 per cent of all the jewellery manufactured in UK each year.

Councillor Neville Summerfield, regeneration boss at the city council, said: “The calibre of entries submitted for this contract was very high, making choosing a winner a pleasingly difficult task.

“We believe the chosen design will not only be visually striking, while considerate to its historic surroundings, but also provide the perfect environment within which tourists, shoppers, residents and local businesses alike can live, work and play together.”

The Jewellery Quarter is currently bidding for World Heritage status.

Andy Williams, managing director of Capita Lovejoy, said: “This project is critical for the community and identity of the Jewellery Quarter and will be a significant step forward in delivering the aspirations of Birmingham’s Big City Plan.”