Work to give a multi-million pound facelift to the Bakers Arms area of Leyton is under way.

Waltham Forest Council is spending £3m on repairing the shopping area, repainting shops, replacing brickwork and creating two squares for people to relax in in Lea Bridge Road.

The authority’s contractors have already started work to create the public spaces either side of the former Bakers Arms pub, which will feature sculptures and seating, while shops will be repainted following the success of a similar scheme in Leyton High Road last year.

Businesses’ facades were given a spruce-up by the council before the Olympics - work which won the authority a London Planning Award earlier this year.

The new work being carried out comes as part of a £9 million bid to regenerate key shopping areas in the borough.

Contractors are working to widen pavements and create a 20mph speed limit in the area.

The work is expected to be complete by February next year.

Hamid Mohammed, owner of the London DIY Centre in Lea Bridge Road, said: “This investment is just what is needed here. The streets look tired and uncared for, it’ll really help to boost the area and benefit local businesses like ours.”

Similar work costing £700,000 is also under way in Chingford Mount Road, Chingford, and is expected to be complete by the autumn.

A total of £950,000 has been earmarked for High Road, Leytonstone, and the same amount for High Street, Walthamstow.

Another £1.25 million has been set aside for Leyton, £600,000 for Higham Hill, and £861,000 as part of a contingency fund.

The Mayor of London's Outer London Funding scheme has granted £412,000 to improve Wood Street, Walthamstow, and £277,000 for Blackhorse Lane.

Some money will also be spent on Francis Road in Leyton.

As part of the plans Drapers Field, in High Road, Leyton, will be returned to public use by the end of 2013.