THE council has revealed the new name for the regenerated part of the town centre.

The £30 million revamp of Manor Street and Victoria Street is now well underway with much of the demolition work completed.

Construction company Kier started demolition work in the area behind the town hall and library shortly after the lockdown.

The firm has also removed the old bus park and car parks, positioned the footprint to one of the main buildings and finished constructing the concrete basement to the ground floor levels.

Building work is continuing on the concrete frame which will support the main building.

Braintree Council has revealed the area will be known as Victoria Square.

They say the new buildings will be built to respect and complement the character of the Victorian buildings surrounding it.

The name also connects with Braintree’s history as the Warner Textile Archive includes designs woven for Queen Victoria as well as other members of the royal family.

John McKee, Braintree Council's corporate transformation boss, said: "We have begun the exciting work of creating a new place where residents can live, work and play.

"This regeneration will bring a much needed health facility, new homes, improved services and more jobs into our town.

"It will attract more people into the centre which will not only generate more trade for existing shops and restaurants, but could also pull other businesses into the town.

"It’s a privilege to be leading on a project which will support our community and re-energise our town.”

Kier's managing director Mark Dady added: “I’m delighted that the building work on the Victoria Square regeneration is progressing to plan and according to schedule.

"We’ve worked hard to keep the project on track while operating within the boundaries of the Government’s COVID-19 health legislation and site operating procedures.

"We look forward to pressing on with the rest of the work and delivering this significant project for the people of Braintree."

The regeneration project will see 35 new homes built alongside a 70-bed Travelodge, health centre, bus interchange, cafe and two-storey car park.

It is hoped it will create more than 100 jobs and bring at least 24,000 visitors into the town centre every year.

If the work continues as planned, completion is expected by autumn 2021.