Big names in town revamp

Major leisure and retail firms have shown an interest in coming to Kidderminster as part of a proposed multi-million pound redevelopment of part of the town, it was revealed today.

A hotel, bowling alley, bars and an eight-screen cinema are among the proposals aimed at breathing new life into the Worcester Street area of the town.

Flats could also be built above shops to bring more people into the heart of Kidderminster to live.

Wilson Bowden Developments, based in Leicester, has been chosen as the preferred partner for the project with Wyre Forest District Council.

And today we show artist's impressions which were part of the developer's submissions to the council about how the area could look.

It is the third phase of redevelopment in the town which has already included a revamp of the Tesco site and creation of the Weavers Wharf shopping centre.

Developers spokeswoman Claire Burrell said: "Initial plans put forward incorporated a hotel, an eight-screen cinema and a 20-lane bowling alley. We are in discussions with a number of major operators of both retail and leisure. There is a lot of liaison taking place with the local council."

No names have yet been released for interested operators for either the shops or leisure sections of the scheme but a planning application is expected to be submitted later this year.

Restaurants and bars are also proposed as well as apartments above shops or as part of a separate flats scheme.

The company has already carried out a similar scheme with apartments above shops in Leamington Spa and as a separate building at Bishops Stortford which is due or completion.

Andrew Dickens, head of cultural, leisure and commercial services with Wyre Forest District Council, said: "We anticipate a planning application being submitted later this year."

By Sue Smith