THE dilapidated ground floor of a Worcestershire town hall is finally set to undergo a facelift after almost a decade as a derelict eyesore.

The prominent town centre building in Evesham dates back to the 16th century. And after standing empty since 2003, the ground floor is set to be transformed into a coffee shop. It is hoped this will be a major step towards transforming the area into a continental style piazza.

An Evesham man is behind the plans to revamp the former PJs Nightclub into a coffee shop and second-hand clothes shop. Tony Fisher, who has lived in the town for 30 years, wants to do something positive for the town after watching shop after shop close their doors.

He said: ”My idea is to build up some business in Evesham starting with a coffee shop. I have always been disappointed with the shops in Evesham and I have wanted to do something to improve the situation for a long time.

“I have become increasingly aware of the poor state of the town centre with shops closing every week – that’s how it seems to me.” Mr Fisher is hoping to open the facilities by November. “It is such a prime spot and it has been let to run derelict. “Other landlords in Market Square are looking to open smaller businesses and turn the square into a venue like a piazza.”

The money generated from the businesses will go towards creating a new charity to help other people in Evesham set up their own businesses. “It will be a social enterprise,” said Mr Fisher. “We will be putting something back into the community.”

The charity will be called Life Trust, standing for Local Initiative for Enterprise. He said: “It will help people to go on and open their own businesses.

“I have kids of my own struggling to find work in Evesham. “If you don’t have a car it is a dead end town. This will help them set up their own business.” Mr Fisher says the two shops should generate five jobs this year and hopes to increase this to between 20 and 25 jobs the following year.