Funding lined up for town's £2m facelift

Work is earmarked to start by January next year in a combined scheme to transform the town centre.

An investment proposal for £1.5m in improvements is on the agenda for approval by Worcestershire County Council's Cabinet on September 25.

The money is in addition to £500,000 that Wyre Forest District Council is also putting into the project.

It will pay for regeneration proposals for the public areas around the Town Hall in Vicar Street and High Street and is part of wider plans to firmly put Kidderminster on the retail map for visitors and shoppers.

The district council, working with Hendersons, the owners of Weavers Wharf, also plans to redevelop the Crown House and Lower Mill Street areas of the town as well as open up access to Worcester Street.

But the main feature of the £2m project will be a new public square outside the Town Hall, which will beknown as Exchange Place. The scheme also includes improvements to the pedestrianised areas along Vicar Street and High Street.

Councillor John Campion, the district council's cabinet member for planning and economic regeneration, said:

"This exciting project is part of a multi-faceted programme of regeneration for Kidderminster and has been part of our vision over the last five years. The multi-million pound investment will mean a vastly improved experience for shoppers, businesses and visitors.

"It will help to revitalise and regenerate an ageing part of the town and will send a strong message that Kidderminster is 'open for business' in the day and evening. This project is part of a wider regeneration scheme that will give Kidderminster town centre a real boost in terms of visitors and investors."

If funding is approved next Thursday, work is expected to begin in January next year with an anticipated completion of September 2015.