The short walk from the distinctively modern, even futuristic, Hive building to Worcester’s ancient Cathedral showed Tourism Minister John Glen the range of what the city has to offer.

Mr Glen, Parliamentary Under-secretary for Arts, Heritage and Tourism was in the city yesterday - taking in The Hive, Worcester Cathedral and St Swithun’s.

He said: “I’ve been very impressed by what I’ve seen. The Hive is a unique collaboration between the local authority and the University to provide a world-class facility. What I’ve seen here at the Cathedral shows a real dynamism and desire to to develop it and there is a real community of volunteers and enthusiasts.”

With cities, towns and regions all competing to attract visitors, Mr Glen said Worcester needed to make most of both its history and its contemporary culture.

He said: “I’ve been in this job for six months now and I’ve visited many places around the country and I think it’s clear that different places have different narratives, different stories to tell that suit each place.

“Worcester is a fantastic place and has a blend of real assets which appeal to all generations, and it’s not an either/or question. It has to use both.”

City MP Robin Walker, who was accompanying his ministerial colleague said: “John represents Salisbury, another of our great cathedral cities, but I’ve been able to tell him that Worcester is now known to be much older than we thought it was, by 750 years.I think when people learn this city is as old as Rome, they’ll want to come from all over.”

Helen Mole, is Worcester City Council’s officer leading on economic development. She said: “We aren’t as well-known as Bath, which is a World Heritage Site, but we do have a wealth of fantastic visitor attractions and historic sites as well as a vibrant and exciting cultural scene and plenty to offer tourists with a wide range of interests. We are working hard to create a joined up offer with Worcester Heritage Partnership, Worcester Civic Society, Worcestershire Arts Partnership and Visit Worcestershire which will show people how proud we are of our beautiful city and also improve the visitor experience when people are here.

“We don’t think it needs to be a choice between the past and present. The arts and heritage are intrinsically linked and this is why we often say that Worcester is a vibrant city with a historic heart.”