A MAJOR regeneration project of commercial properties in Tolladine was proposed by landowners Fortis Living this time last year.

Fortis, a developer of affordable homes, had published plans to carry out a regeneration of the Rose Avenue shops, building four new retail units with apartments above on one side of the road, and four houses on the other.

Fellows Construction Consultants, which had been appointed for the project, said the regeneration scheme was valued at £1,700,000. This time last year, at the site there were eight units, although three of them were vacant including the Italian Job takeaway that closed earlier last year.

One of the units at the site was the Worcester Angling Centre. Owner, Gary Hickton, told the Worcester News when interviewed last year the business was given six months notice to leave the site earlier in 2017, so he had arranged to move to a unit in Brickfields Road, in October. “We don’t have a date for the last day of trading here,” Mr Hickton said. “We will aim to make the move over a weekend to avoid disruption for our customers, who will come with us. “We have been aware of it - this has been a longstanding plan. “Fortis has been professional, although they could have been more helpful at times.”

The Worcester News was told last year that some of the businesses, including the News Express shop and Post Office, and Rose Avenue Fryer chip shop, could take on the new retail units once built, however Fortis Living did not confirm whether the spaces had been offered to them.

On its Facebook page, another of the tenants, New Hope 50p charity shop, posted last year: “We have some good news - we are not closing down. “We will remain open in Tolladine until the refurbishment of the area begins. “Thank you for your continued support, we appreciate it.”