Much of the square is already closed to the public due to renovations.

Police say the section directly in front of the Council House will be cordoned off to avoid any possibility of injuries at midnight.

Chief Inspector Mark Holland said the area will only be closed for a couple of hours.

"We don't want people gathering in a small, confined space in front of the Council House as we want to avoid any possibility of crushing.

"You can't see the clock from there anyway," he said.