Owner's fight to save garage

A family garage employing 12 staff is under threat from a bid to revamp Stourport's historic canal basins.

Owner Paul Mitchell, aged 55, is fighting a council bid to demolish Lloyds Garage, in Bridge Street.

He has been issued with a compulsory purchase order by Wyre Forest District Council, which says it needs the land for redevelopment.

Now Mr Mitchell plans to take his fight to a Land Tribunal and the case is expected to be heard in February. "This is a very important site and we are a long-established business," he said.

"But so far the council has come up with no alternative site for me."

He said he faced big legal costs if he loses.

A spokesman for Wyre Forest District Council said: "The regeneration of this part of Stourport and the link to the basins is vital to the local economy of the area.

"The Lloyd's Garage site is required for this scheme to take place."