Talks start over future of workhouse

Urgent talks are taking place over the future of Kidderminster's former Workhouse building.

The Workhouse, in Sutton Road was constructed in 1874 and it stands on the Kidderminster Hospital site.

In latter years the only remaining section of the Workhouse, which once covered the whole of the site, was used as part of the hospital.

But it now lies empty and members of the West Midlands Historic Buildings Trust have paid a site visit to decide whether it should be listed.

Members will meet in Stourbridge on Wednesday to discuss whether to suggest to Wyre Forest District Council that it applies to the Department of Culture, Trade and Sport for the building to be listed.

During their site visit to Kidderminster, members also toured the Horsefair area of the town to view three Weavers Cottages. These are protected but which have also stood idle awaiting repairs and conversion for modern use.

David Trevis-Smith, the trust's project director, said: "The Workhouse was used as part of the hospital but has ceased being used in the past 12 months.

"The visit on Saturday was to view the Workhouse which is the only surviving part of what once occupied the whole of the hospital site. Members also visited the Weavers Cottages."