A GRADE II listed city centre pub will be given a new lease of life as a Thai bar with the creation of eight new jobs after being snapped up by restaurant bosses.
The Maltster, a listed two-storey property on the Cornmarket, will be fully refurbished before opening for Christmas as The Buddha Bar @Thai Gallery.
After closing its doors in April, the former live music venue was sold for £395,000 to Thai Gallery which already runs a restaurant in the city, as well as a second one in Hereford.
The premises, believed to have been used as part of the brewing process as far back as the 1800s, include commercial kitchens, seating areas, and first-floor living accommodation.
Amy Potter, surveyor with James A Baker, who oversaw the sale, said the building had attracted a lot of interest as it is in a prime location in Worcester’s commercial centre.
“The Maltster is in the vibrant heart of the town, and the new owners are planning to invest in a large-scale refurbishment to give the building a new lease of life, as well as create new jobs,” she said.
“It’s great news for Worcester, the Buddha Bar @ Thai Gallery will be a great addition to the economy.”
A spokesman for Thai Gallery said they were delighted to have purchased the building and stressed the new venue would be in addition to the existing Thai restaurant in the city.
Visit www.thaigallery.co.uk for more.
