HISTORIANS have spoken of their sadness that a derelict nightclub with a colourful past will be demolished to make way for new student accommodation.

The plan to knock down Images Nightclub in The Butts, Worcester was given the go ahead by the city council on Thursday and, as well as worries over traffic in an already congested area, some people have voiced concerns that a piece of local history will be erased.

Paul Harding, of Worcester's Discover History, said: “The building itself keeps getting called Images Nightclub, but I often think when you're referring to it as that it just seems like a derelict nightclub, but it has got important history. It was built in 1870 by a man called Mr Turton, a well-known engineer. The building was called the Netherton Foundry. They were a big repair shop.

“They dealt with the gloving machines and the bone china machines in Worcester. Without the Netherton Foundry the other factories wouldn’t have been able to keep going because they did all the repairs. If one of the china machines failed, they would take it to the Netherton Foundry, and the gloving machines.”

Mr Harding added: “It allowed the city to continue its industry work.”

The factory was also vital as it produced corn and flour machines.

Mr Harding said the loss of the building will be ‘quite sad’ as he conducts history tours which visit places central to Worcester’s industrial past, such as Fownes Hotel which was a glove making factory and Worcester Royal Porcelain Works, and the former Netherton Foundry is one of the stops on the walk.

Also, the Industrial Archaeological society produced a guide with the building as one of the stops.

“Unfortunately they will be stood outside university accommodation,” Mr Harding said.

“At least I can say I did my bit. I contacted local councillors and expressed my concern,” he added.

“I would encourage everyone to make use of questionnaires and feedback forms in the future. Never assume someone else will. Never assume it’s a foregone conclusion. Always make the effort.”

“These things happen. It has become derelict, it has become tired. But it is a shame it couldn’t be turned into something. Maybe they could have done what I have seen in other towns and extend it so it is almost a modern building with the old part within."