Pershore Market and Broad Street in line for major redevelopment

This comes as Wychavon District Council unveiled an investment prospectus, showcasing a vision for the future of Pershore over the next 20 to 30 years.

This plan is centred on reconnecting the town with the River Avon, as well as building on the town’s event programme and range of intendent food and drink offerings.

Pershore’s new mayor, councillor Matthew Winfield, commented on the plans after being elected last week.

He said: “Benjamin Disraeli warned that Victorian Britain risked becoming two nations, the rich and the poor. Similarly, current development risks creating two Pershores, a commuter Pershore and a residential one.

“In order to assimilate the newcomers, we need to revitalise our town centre. There, the two Pershores can mix and become one.

“This conviction is one of the reasons why the Pershore Prospectus is so timely.

“The prospectus outlines a vision of what Pershore could look like in the near future, and it embraces two major proposals, the redevelopment of the area north of ASDA, extending to Cherry Orchard, and the restoration of our public square in Broad Street, which has been occupied by the automobile for far too long.”

The prospectus outlines the aim of reconnecting Pershore and the River Avon

The prospectus outlines ‘Game Changer’ sites, areas that the council say have the “potential to bring about change”.

This includes two potential options for the future of Pershore Market.

One would involve turning it into a modern food hall that serves local produce with “high-quality improvements to the physical appearance of the site”, as well as the creation of a new 75-bed extra care facility.

The second option includes expanding and diversifying Pershore Market, new housing including an extra care facility, and other mixed uses.

Broad Street has also been listed as a game-changer site, with the prospectus stating the aim of transforming it into a pedestrian space that can be used for events, to allow Pershore’s programme to expand.

Meanwhile, a new permanent car parking arrangement could be maintained within the road.

READ MORE: Broad Street in Pershore could become town square

Councillor Bradley Thomas, leader of Wychavon District Council, said: “Our town centres have been under pressure for some time and the prospectuses represent a positive vision for the future of each of them.

“This isn’t about what Wychavon wants to see happen but rather a shared ambition based on what we have been told by various stakeholders. The prospectuses offer interpretations of what’s possible but that doesn’t mean they are set in stone.

“Wychavon isn’t in charge of all of the Game Changer sites, so to make this vision a reality there needs to be a real drive from the public and private sector, and our communities, to make this happen. The prospectuses will be a powerful tool to attract investment from Government and the private sector into our towns."

The next step will involve the council speaking with landowners and investors to gauge interest in potential developments while progressing on the sites they do own, such as Evesham Public Hall.