Work on repaving Half Moon Square in Chelmsford city centre will start in the spring after repeated delays.
The £1.5million project to refresh the area outside H Samuel had been planned for autum, before a January 2015 date was mooted.
Aquila, the developers of the nearby Bond Street scheme, will fund £1million of it with Section 106 contributions, and wants it completed by the time that opens in autum 2016.
The square's paving slabs from outside Ladbrokes, down High Street to Debenhams, and stretching as far west as the High Chelmer shopping centre, will be replaced with granite blocks.
Way-finding maps will be installed, a widened pedestrian crossing will be placed across Tindal Street and a semi-circle of backless benches fitted.
Shoppers will still be able to navigate the area.
Property consultant Neil Ridley said: "It will get the best effect for the city centre. These kinds of things are imperative,"
