The date has been set for when an 'eyesore' bus station will finally close its doors after 52 years.

The Gosport station will close after the last bus departs in the early hours of Wednesday (October 9), with its replacement opening the same morning elsewhere in the town.

The two-storey building on The Esplanade, which is located next to Portsmouth Harbour, has often been described as an eyesore with outdated architecture by residents.

Demolition work is due to start in November and is expected to take about three months.

It will be replaced with a new space called the People's Park, which will boast food and drink outlets.

(Image: NQ) There are also plans in place for a band stand to be erected at the site and new dining facilities.

The new bus station is situated much further back from the waterfront.

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Buses will commence operating across High Street and between South Cross Street and North Cross Street, with signage provided on High Street to indicate the presence of buses.

Writing in the demolition application, a spokesperson for Gosport Borough Council said: "The existing building provides ten stands for First Hampshire and Dorset bus services that connect Gosport to Fareham and Portsmouth.

The first floor has partly been used as office space, with the rest being left vacant.

"Generally viewed negatively by local residents, the design of the building is quite dated and is in great need of modernisation."

Hampshire County Council has said that Coates Road car park will continue to remain closed until all of the improvement works are completed.

All road resurfacing works have now been completed, and access into High Street from South Cross Street has been reopened to permitted vehicles.

This includes those requiring access for emergencies, maintenance, deliveries, and market stall holders displaying the appropriate access permit.