A NEW multimillion pound investment has been put forward to regenerate an "unloved" part of the city.

The plans for Cathedral Plaza include seven new restaurants overlooking a public square in front of the Cathedral as well as a new look for the shops and a gym.

Similar plans for a ‘food quarter’ were first mooted in 2008 by the shopping centre's previous owners and received planning permission but were put on hold the following year because of the recession.

Now, Salmon Harvester Opportunity Fund, which bought Cathedral Plaza in 2013, has detailed a new scheme which it believes will improve the city and bring up to 100 jobs to the area.

The organisation says it will attract quality restaurant and retail businesses, including national names new to the city, as well as local businesses with aspirations to be part of the new look centre.

It wants to turn the centre into a place that meets the needs of modern retailers and restaurants.

The new public square would sit on the site of the current roundabout between Deansway and College Street.

Salmon Harvester aims to submit a planning application later this year and people will be asked to comment on the proposals as part of a public consultation.

The developer is working with both Worcester City Council and Worcestershire County Council on the plans.

David Wilkinson, chairman of the Worcester City planning committee, said: "The general concept is what we've seen before but the detail is new.

"We welcome proposals to enhance that part of the city.

"The one thing that is obvious is there are some difficult traffic issues that will need to be resolved."

Nick Webb of Salmon Harvester Opportunity Fund said: “Our proposals for Cathedral Plaza present a fantastic opportunity to regenerate a currently unloved part of the City to provide a new leisure offer and introduce a major new public space in front of the Cathedral."

The Dean of Worcester, the Very Reverend Peter Atkinson declined to comment on the plans.