A MULTI-MILLION-POUND bid to carry out much-needed regeneration work to create a ‘northern quarter’ in the city centre will likely be submitted next week.

Worcester City Council is looking to secure an £18 million share of government money to revive the northern part of the city centre.

Councillors meet next Tuesday (July 28) to discuss the plans and ratify the bid.

If successful, the area around Angel Street and Angel Place, The Foregate, The Cross and Trinity Street would be completely regenerated to create an ‘urban neighbourhood’ focusing on new shops, cafes, restaurants and bars, a new performance and arts venue and other cultural facilities, some family-friendly attractions as well as housing and office space transforming it into a ‘destination’ for young people and families.

The report, which will be discussed by the council’s planning and resources committee, says work to the northern side of the city centre will look to challenge the disparities between the southside – which has seen huge investment in recent years with the multi-million-pound Cathedral Square development – creating a “new yet different” area and putting an end to the ‘tale of two cities’ feel.

The work would cost around £29 million with the city council and other local partners putting forward £11 million alongside the government money.

Cllr Adrian Gregson, deputy leader of the city council, said: “The southern part of the city centre has seen significant investment in recent years so I hope the committee will support this bid as a way to restore vibrancy to the northern quarter.

“If our funding bid is successful it would mean the transformation of this areas into a destination of choice for local young people and families.

"It would help to boost the city’s tourism appeal and help us to bring some neglected historic buildings backing into use.”

The council has said it will likely have to buy some of the buildings in the area to ensure the work goes ahead but cannot yet reveal which ones. It would also launch a grant scheme to bring empty heritage buildings back into use.

The work would also create strong links between the quarter and the nearby Arches which are currently being transformed as part of £4.5 million work to create another cultural hub for creative businesses and the arts and create a direct link between Worcester Foregate Street, the Hive and the riverside.

The city council has also been preparing a separate bid for the Government’s Town Fund scheme which hands out up to £25 million to support urban regeneration work, small businesses, and transport.

Bids for government must be submitted by the end of July with an announcement of whether the city is successful likely to be made by the autumn.