QUESTIONS are still being asked about when Worcester's much-loved council chamber will be back in business - more than 18 months after the doors closed.

In early 2013 Worcester City Council decided to stop holding meetings in the Guildhall chamber because of a lack of disabled access.

A large ramp was taken away as part of the 2012 redecoration work to the 18th century building, and since then council meetings have taken place in the draughty main hall next door, known as the assembly room.

Your Worcester News can now reveal how attempts to get the room back into use have been pushed down the priority list due to the sale of the council's Orchard House headquarters in Farrier Street.

The HQ was sold to the University of Worcester in the summer as part of a package worth £3.1 million, and since then council staff have been trying to get the city art gallery building in Foregate Street, where workers will relocate, ready.

The move needs to go ahead by spring, and by then the ground floor needs a total refurbishment.

Labour Councillor Lynn Denham, speaking during a full council meeting, called the progress "disappointing" and said the funds to put disabled access have been in place for months.

She challenged Councillor Lucy Hodgson, Conservative cabinet member for customer service and communications, who said it "takes time in a Grade II listed building" to get changes accepted.

Any alterations need the blessing of various heritage bodies.

Cllr Hodgson said she'd secured assurances by staff that once the office relocation is dealt with, the Guildhall chamber will be "top of the list".

"Once the main work on the office move is complete, I have been reassured this will be looked at," she said.

She also told councillors she agreed the chamber had been out of use for too long.

Two years ago the venue was spruced up ahead of the Queen's visit to Worcester, including painstaking cleaning to the Guildhall’s ornate ceiling and extensive painting.

At the time, she remarked how impressive the building was.