With a right to reply on Cllr. Chris Mitchell's inaccurate, unprovoked attack, on how I voted at Worcester City Council’s Policy and Resource Committee (P & R), the agenda item was in relation to the sale of land including part of the King Street Car Park, not support through Council funding.

The King Street Car Park is situated next to what I, plus many other people, see as the major tourist attraction of the city, Worcester Cathedral.  

Worcester Cathedral is a place of worship, famous for it's architecture (built between 1084 and 1504) and the final resting place of King John and Prince Arthur.  

It is also the venue for prestigious musical events and ceremonies including the University of Worcester graduation week.  On March 18 the Worcester Festival Choral Society will be performing The Dream of Gerontius, widely regarded as one of Elgar's most thrilling masterpieces.  Crowds will be drawn in, from near and far.

Bearing in mind the importance of tourism and visitors to the city, I wanted to highlight the damage and disruption the works may cause, to current and future tourism.  The P & R report estimates 12 months of disruption to the car park whilst the works take place with a significant number of car park spaces taken out.

I knew my vote would make no difference to the overall decision so I used it to press home awareness, plus the importance of, minimising the disruption and negative effects to tourism, the works will cause.

Many of us have visited  tourist locations only to be disappointed when building works are underway.  It is important the City Council does all it can to mitigate, if it does grant planning permission.

I am delighted to see Benedictos plus many local hospitality businesses, who in spite of the pandemic and government policy, remain trading and smiling.

Cllr Mel Allcott

City and County Councillor, Claines Division

Parliamentary Spokesperson, Worcester Liberal Democrats