Ahead of this weekend's Remembrance Day commemorations, the newly improved area around the city's war memorial near Guildhall Square will be opened as phase one of the renovations is completed.
Portsmouth City Council is making the approach to the Cenotaph a more attractive and pleasant space to sit and reflect. This includes a new paved walk way leading down to the memorial, and through to Victoria Park.
The stepped access to the Cenotaph has handrails to assist less mobile veterans as they approach the memorial to pay their respects.
The final phase of improvements will be completed for the VE Day commemorations in May 2020.
Cllr Steve Pitt, Cabinet Member for Culture and City Development, said: "The renovations have started to transform the memorial area into a more fitting place for veterans, visitors and local people to reflect, especially during memorial events.
"I look forward to seeing the missing names of those from our city who gave their lives for this country being added to the memorial walls."
The final phase will also include an extension to the paved area, further shrubs planted and benches for visitors to sit and enjoy the new space.
The Cenotaph and Guildhall Square are important for significant events in the city and the renovations are being carefully carried out to help enhance these occasions in future.
Work in and around the memorial area will resume on 15 January after the Christmas ice rink in the Guildhall Square closes and will be temporarily closed off again to enable the project's completion.
