A £550,000 revamp of Worcester's market can today be revealed - in an ambitious bid to restore the shopping parade to its former glories.

Worcester City Council has announced a major three-month overhaul of Angel Place to make it more appealing to passers-by.

All of the existing, tired old market units will be ripped out and replaced by ultra modern, moveable stands, and Angel Place will be completely repaved to give the area a modern feel.

The market is currently leased to The Crown Estate, owners of the CrownGate shopping centre, but the firm has agreed to surrender it to the council in order for the regeneration to take place.

Under the plans work will start on Monday, September 1 and take 10 weeks to complete, re-opening in time for the Christmas trading period.

Angel Place has around 16 regular stallholders, and the council says it is currently working on a "temporary solution" with a view to locating them elsewhere during the revamp.

It is subject to approval from the city council's Conservative cabinet next Tuesday, July 29.

Councillor Marc Bayliss, deputy leader and cabinet member for economic prosperity, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to create a dynamic, exciting market that will work better for shoppers, market traders and all city centre businesses.

"With proposals also being drawn up to revamp Cathedral Plaza this is another big vote of confidence in the city centre."

Hannah Milne, regional portfolio manager at The Crown Estate, said: “We’re pleased to be supporting these works, which will transform Angel Place, creating a new, modern market place that complements and enhances the current retail offer at CrownGate.”

Angel Place will stay open during the 10 weeks, with repaving done on certain sections of the road at a time to keep disruption to a minimum.

The council is also looking to recruit a new company to take on the market under a contract, and the firm which secures it will also get the Victorian Christmas Fayre.

Mike Ashton, Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce chief executive, said: “This exciting new approach to providing a market for Worcester will build on improvements to the city centre in recent years."