A DERELICT building in the heart of the city could be given a new lease of life after plans were submitted to Worcester City Council, the Observer can reveal.
The HOPE Church has approached the council and developers Carillon Richardson with ambitious plans to convert the former Granary in St Martin’s Quarter into a church, community centre and cafe.
Built in 1870, the now dilapidated building (pictured) has lay empty for years and remained derelict while the regeneration of the area took place.
The £75 million revamp of the Lowesmoor site was formally launched with the arrival of supermarket giant ASDA in March 2012.
High profile names such as Costa Coffee, Ladbrokes, Sports Direct and B+M Stores have all taken their place in the last four years. It’s thought the Granary was the largest vinegar works in Europe and Richard Thomas from the HOPE Church told the Observer the group had been trying to locate a suitable building for a number of years.
“It is exactly where you would want a church to be, in the heart of the community, to serve the community,” he said.
“With lower floor windows bricked up and upper windows broken. It is best known as a rain shelter for pigeons and the city council are keen that the building be put back into use after many years left semi derelict.
“Thought to be the largest vinegar works in Europe. The grain stored there made its way through adjoining buildings, now largely demolished, until reaching the bottling plant, which is now the Territorial Army building.
“Few buildings representing this Victorian industrial period of Worcester are left.
“Alongside other city churches, HOPE Church has become known for partnering with other charities and churches to care for those in need.
“The church also has ambitions to be of service to the business and artistic communities of the city in the future.”
A Worcester City Council spokesperson confirmed a planning application had been received for the site and would be considered at a future meeting of the authority’s planning committee.
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