A DUDLEY landmark is to get a £1.3m makeover which will include the refurbishment of a famous fountain's waterworks.

Coronation Gardens link the town centre with Dudley College’s campus on Tower Street and Dudley Council aims to improve access and the appearance of the gardens for students and visitors.

The revamp includes new and improved paving, a new access point with 1.5m wide footpath, lighting and street furniture, benches and the rebuilding of a historic wall.

The grade II listed Apollo Fountain will be returned to working order and up-lighting will be installed.

A new outdoor events area, including a stage, lighting and seating for performances, will be created at the rear of the gardens, close to the Tower Street college campus.

Councillor Judy Foster, Dudley cabinet member for regeneration, said: “Coronation Gardens is a special place as it is home to our cenotaph, historic fountain and Bert Bissell memorial, as well as being a vital part of our civic cluster.

“This work will reinvigorate and enhance this area of the town for us all to enjoy now, as well as protecting it for generations to come.”

The gardens have been a feature of Dudley since 1937 and create a green space at the heart of the civic quarter.

As long as the project is approved at a meeting of Dudley’s Cabinet on Wednesday October 29, work will start on the upgrade in summer 2015.

This project is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund, the Townscape Heritage Initiative and Dudley Council and is an extension of Dudley’s £6.7m market place redevelopment.