THE renovation of one of Worcester's oldest buildings is close to making the grade.

Work to convert the Grade-II listed building - 57 Broad Street - in the city centre, into five luxury apartments is now nearing completion.

Maurice Sutherland, of the Reading-based firm Inbestfront, is the project manager on site, and he described the difference he has seen in the last year.

"For those who want a home with a bit of character, this is the place," he said.

"As far as I know, the building was put up in 1585 and was originally used as a pub.

"When me and my business partner, Graham Payne, started work on the site in March last year, we found it in a terrible state.

"But we have spent a lot of money just restoring it and now it is really quaint.

"As a graded building, we have had to work very closely with the county council on the project.

"Their structural engineer, Roger Cole, has been really passionate about the project, like we have, and has all-but stopped the building falling down.

"It has real character and it is absolutely lovely to see the original features, such as the oak timber, restored.

"We have, unfortunately, had to limit the amount of timber we can keep exposed because of the fire risk, and had to cover up a lot.

"And where the original features, such as the staircase, were too damaged to save, we have done our best to create something very similar - very little has come 'off the shelf', it is all custom made."

While the building has a very quaint feeling, the new owners will not have go without modern appliances.

The kitchens all come with a washing machine, fridge, freezer, and integrated cooker. There are also fans to keep warm air at a low level and a common entrance area. Two of the flats will have polished floors.

"From the outside the building doesn't look very impressive at all," added Mr Sutherland. "But inside it is a completely different matter. I have thoroughly enjoyed working here and I hope the new owners will get just as much pleasure from the site."

For more information, call Maurice Sutherland on 07752 184866.