A MAJOR shopping centre in Dudley is set to start the New Year heading back to its former glory.

A £200,000 restoration scheme at the Fountain Arcade is nearing completion and traders are looking forward to seeing the 1925 Art Deco building as it was in its heyday.

The project includes repairs to windows and stonework, reinstating lost architectural features, opening up blocked-up windows, reinstating stone detailing to the pediment on the gable and installing new shop fronts.

Alan Caswell, who owns the Fountain ArcadeToy Shop, said: “I have already got an idea of the view we will have from this shop over Stone Street Square when the original windows are put back in again in the New Year, it will be fabulous.

“The windows were bricked up in 1971 by a previous arcade landlord and I can’t wait to see them opened up again so we can enjoy that great view over Stone Street Square towards the museum.”

Councillor Judy Foster, Dudley cabinet member for regeneration, said: “The Fountain Arcade is the latest in a string of schemes to restore the town’s impressive architectural heritage.

“We are grateful to the traders who have supported the work which is now nearing completion and which I hope will encourage more people to visit the arcade and support its independent shops.”

To celebrate the near-completion of work to the building traders have booked Santa who will be in his grotto in the arcade on Saturday December 20.