PLANS to transform Friary Walk through a £1.5 million investment have been approved by Worcester City councillors.

The Crown Estate can now go ahead with the ambitious scheme, which includes the refurbishment of the facade and main entrance to Crowngate Shopping Centre from Friary Walk, that is already home to retailers including New Look, Mothercare and Vision Express.

The renovation of units 41 to 46 Friary Walk - all of which are currently vacant - forms part of the scheme designed to turn Angel Place into a market place and public square.

The new units will be made available to new businesses, retailers and restaurants, following completion of the major regeneration work that is expected to get underway early next year.

An artist's impression of how the impressive revamp of the area will look has also been released, which shows the potential for outside dining areas if the units became eateries.

Nicole Campbell, asset manager at The Crown Estate, said: “We are pleased to have secured consent for this important regeneration project.

"It is a key part of our long term vision to ensure Crowngate remains a leading shopping destination and will also help to preserve the character of the historic city.

"The regeneration will attract a more diverse mix of occupiers, enhancing what is already on offer at Friary Walk, as well as creating new job opportunities for the city of Worcester.”

Worcester City Council's planning committee approved the plans at the latest meeting of the committee, held on August 24.

The green light to the scheme comes in Crowngate Shopping Centre's 25th anniversary year.

Since development, in 1992, Crown Estate has invested £5 million into the the shopping centre - previously including the regeneration of Chapel Walk into a cafe and restaurant area.