Worcester’s ambitious regeneration plans could soon get a multi-million pound kick-start after it was announced that a key city centre site is being sold for a multi-million pound redevelopment.
Local property specialist Halls Wilkins Commercial is working with Worcester City Council and Worcestershire County Council to market ‘Cornmarket Worcester’ which comprises the Cornmarket Car Park and Trinity House.
The development site, which has potential for retail, commercial, leisure and residential uses (subject to planning), will help to boost the city’s regeneration plans.
Trinity House, owned by Worcestershire County Council, comprises 60,000 sq ft of accommodation over three storeys on 0.61 acres (0.25 hectares). The site was a former Co-op department store and more recently has housed the County Council’s Family History Centre, which is now located at The Hive.
Cornmarket Car Park, which is currently operated by Worcester City Council, is laid out as open parking for 85 cars, including five disabled spaces on a site of 0.58 acres (0.23 hectares). It was built in 1966 after the Public Hall was demolished.
Worcester City Council has ambitious plans to drive Worcester’s status as a city of ambition and a city of opportunity, aiming to make it an economic powerhouse with a vibrant city centre. The council has produced an exciting Masterplan for the city centre, which has inspired ideas for a new vision and direction to create a “Bold Worcester” that will grow through capitalising on its assets, building on its strengths and regenerating the identified opportunity areas.
The vision presented in the City Centre Masterplan and emerging South Worcestershire Development Plan provides a framework for a major new mixed-use development linking the principal shopping areas of the City with the new St Martins Quarter development, forming one of a series of quarters in the redevelopment of the city centre.
Rob Champion, partner of Halls Wilkins Commercial, said: “Cornmarket, which was once a thriving marketplace, is located in an important area on the edge of the City Centre core. It is one of many strategic priority areas identified by the city council’s City Centre Masterplan as being in need of regeneration and redevelopment.
“Both councils would welcome a gateway development that boosts the area’s offering and this creates an exciting opportunity to see one of the City’s key areas being transformed with the potential to attract some significant occupiers and deliver a genuine mix of uses.”
Councillor Geoff Williams, Worcester City Council Cabinet member for Economic Prosperity, said: “This is an ambitious approach to deal with the pressing need for closer links between the High Street and the newer retail and leisure facilities at St Martin’s Quarter. The whole of Worcester’s economy will benefit from this bold approach, as it will bring in more visitors to shop and spend time in our city.”
Councillor John Campion, Worcestershire County Council Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Transformation and Commissioning, said: “This is a great example of the County Council working in partnership with the City Council to release suitable premises and land in order to drive regeneration and growth within the local area and economy. It also provides the County Council with a valuable capital receipt which can be reinvested into essential frontline services.”