PROPOSALS for a significant regeneration scheme next to Worcester's Hive could be on the cards - years after a boutique hotel bid fell apart.

A major 'entrepreneur centre' could be built on a vacant stretch of land adjacent to the gold-cladded library for new business owners to explore ideas.

Under the scheme, the centre would have incubator-style 'pods' for people to try out potential money-making concepts.

The Worcester News understands several potential sites have been identified in the city for such an idea - one of which is the land between the Hive and railway viaduct.

Back in 2010, two years before the Queen opened the award-winning library, third party developers were trying to get a deal in place for a hotel on the land.

But after a lack of interest from operators no deal could be struck, leaving it unused.

The entrepreneur centre concept has gained steady momentum among city leaders following some a visit to Baltimore, Maryland in the USA with business chiefs.

It would need a significant element of funding to get off the ground, but the idea is being explored by Worcestershire's Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

The land is university-owned but Vice-Chancellor Professor David Green is allowing the LEP and county council to investigate it further.

Gary Woodman, from the LEP, said: "When we took a cyber delegation to the States we saw how this 'incubator' style idea could work - it's just a concept at this stage, but something we are looking to develop.

"The Hive is a potential site, but it's not the only one - what we need to do is look at how it could stack up financially.

"We see it as a key project to put Worcester 'on the map' as a place to do business."

The incubators are physical spaces where fledgling business can be launched, to try out new ideas and see if they work.

They started back in 1959 in America and now every major city in the world has them, with the idea catching on in Britain in recent years.

They often get funding from an array of sources including charities, the Government, private developers and the NHS.

Councillor Simon Geraghty, the leader of Worcestershire County Council, said: "The site still has potential for some sort of economic development.

"I'd love to see it happen - it's in the heart of the city, in an accessible location for people to reach from all over the county.

"And it's near the Hive, the city centre, the university - you could argue it's the commercial heart of the city."