First glimpse of centre's new entrance

This new artist's impression shows the proposed new look of a shopping centre entrance in the heart of West Bromwich as part of a £5 million revamp.

A new glass entrance and lobby area will be created at the High Street side of Queens Square shopping centre to create a new "signature entrance".

The centre is undergoing renovation work to bring it up to scratch and tie in with the £200m Tesco development in the town.

The new proposals are set to go before borough planning chiefs next month. The scheme is a key part of the ongoing regeneration of West Bromwich town centre.

Councillor Ian Jones, Sandwell's cabinet member for jobs and economy, said: "Plans to refurbish Queens Square shopping centre are crucial to the future of West Bromwich.

"While we are very excited about the New Square development, we're also committed to supporting existing businesses in the High Street and shopping centres.

"An improved Queens Square shopping centre will help attract both shoppers and new investment which is what we want for West Bromwich."

The new Queens Square atrium entrance will replace the canopy which currently stands in the middle of the High Street.

Permission has already been granted to pull down the steel structure.

Mel Glasby, chair of West Bromwich Town Centre Partnership Board and manager of Queens Square, said: "So many people I speak with are very keen to see Queens Square get a much-deserved refurbishment." The planning meeting will be held on March 21 at Sandwell Council House.