A DROITWICH Spa shopping centre is set to lose three popular stores under new plans to redevelop the site.

A Forrest-Hay Jewellers, Facets Restaurant and Droitwich Hardware have all been given notice to vacate their premises in Salters Shopping Centre by the end of January.

The move is part of plans by the centre owners to redevelop certain areas of the precinct and follows news in last week's Advertiser/Messenger about the felling of a popular tree to make way for a caf at the site.

Redevelopment plans include opening the caf and refurbishing existing stores to attract other businesses.

The news will come as a shock to some residents who regularly visit the stores while shopping in the town. The decision not to renew leases of the three businesses will see the break up of a popular part of the town near to Victoria Square.

A letter handed out to customers at Facets Restaurant reads: "Following the purchase of this shopping centre last year the new owner has decided to redevelop certain areas of the precinct. Unfortunately we are in one of those areas and have been given notice to vacate our premises.

"Despite great efforts to remain we have not been offered an alternative position. We have been at this location for 22 years and have endeavoured to offer a good quality service that meets the Droitwich residents' requirements both in our restaurant/tea room and jewellery shop.

"We very much regret their decision and we would like to thank you for your loyal and respected custom over the years."

Unhappy resident Margaret Danks said: "It happened in the Sixties; we watched while concrete high rises took the place of warm, living communities. Now it is corporate business crushing individual life out of small towns like Droitwich.

"To allow the destruction of a small enclave of individual and highly prized businesses such as Droitwich Hardware and Facets Caf shows either appalling ignorance or complete disregard for what gives Droitwich Spa its appeal."

Mrs Danks also spoke about how appealing such a place like Facets is to shoppers and how no alternative home has been offered to the caf owners. A spokesman for Salters Shopping Centre was unable to comment before we went to press.