The owner of a listed building is giving it a £250,000 facelift as a contribution to the renaissance of the city.

But it means two major buildings within yards of each other beside Centenary Square have become "twins" - swathed in the same green netting and scaffolding while work takes place.

Refuge House at the bottom of Sunbridge Road is being restored to its former glory by the private investor which owns it.

And its neighbour, the £9 million Aldermanbury office block is about to be reclad after the main contractors involved in its construction made an out of court settlement with the owners after lengthy negotiations.

The work at Refuge House includes installation of 130 hardwood sash windows and redevelopment of derelict upper floor offices.

But existing businesses and shops in the property, next to the new Centenary leisure complex, are working as normal throughout the contract which is due to finish at the end of September.

Jonathan Holmes, sales negotiator for Ernest Wright, agents for the owner, said: "We wanted to play a part in the redevelopment of the city centre and decided to invest heavily."

He said the old Refuge Assurance offices had been bought in 1985 and occupied a key site in the city which would be close to the £300 million Broadway shopping scheme.

Jeweller Martin Carlton proprietor of Martin's Jewellery Box which is based in the building, welcomed the improvements.

But he said his takings were beginning to slide even though he had a banner outside saying the shop was still open.

His said business was also hit by noise and clouds of dust when neighbouring Provincial House was demolished to make way for the new leisure development, although he added that trade had improved when the demolition had finished and the leisure centre opened.

Work will begin at the end of next month on the 35-week remediation contract at the Aldermanbury office block.

The building occupied by ThomasCook has been swathed with green netting and scaffolding for about 18 months.

The offices will continue to operate normally while the work is done.