A bird’s eye view of how future looks (From Worcester News)

A bird’s eye view of how future looks

3:00pm Sunday 27th February 2011 in Local By David Paine, @davidpaineWN #worcsnews

DIGNITARIES climbed to the top of a new multi-storey car park to see how work is progressing on a £75 million development in Worcester.

City mayor Councillor Mike Layland and Lord Faulkner had a good look around the area of Lowesmoor where a new Asda supermarket, which will create 350 jobs, is being built with 18 other units that will become shops and restaurants.

They heard about the scope of the construction taking place as well as the painstaking history and archaeology work that has accompanied every step of the scheme.

Several important buildings relating to Worcester’s industrial heritage, such as the former vinegar works and Grainger Porcelain Factory, are also being revitalised and given new leases of life. Lord Faulkner said: “It is pleasing that the elements that made Worcester a great manufacturing city are being recorded and preserved and that much of this heritage is being retained.”

Coun Layland, who recalled memories of his early career visiting the vinegar works as a young man in his capacity as a fireman working for British Rail, said: “As a member of the planning committee I was involved in the early stages of the scheme. But now seeing the development take shape, I think what is being achieved here is absolutely tremendous. I particularly welcome the hundreds of jobs that are being created.”

Selwyn Rowley, spokesman for developer Carillion Richardson, said: “We were delighted to receive such endorsement of the painstaking work that is going into revitalising this area of Worcester. We intend that the proud legacy of this scheme will be a thriving new retail centre which also references the industrial heritage of this area of the city.”

The site is due to open later this year.