WORK to transform the iconic former fire station in Worcester into luxury apartments/food hall and wine bar has begun this week.

Preliminary strip out work has commenced at Worcester’s landmark Old Fire Station in Copenhagen Street, with owners of the site, Guthrie Roberts, appointing local building contractor, J.F Wright and Sons.

Over a four week period all internal fabric and furnishings of the building will be removed.

Russell Wright, Director J.F Wright and Sons based in Worcestershire said: “We are delighted to be awarded such a prestigious contract and to work on such an iconic building in the heart of Worcester.

“Some 25 local contractors are now tasked with clearing out the Old Fire Station which will enable the client to hit the ground running once the main development starts.

“Being one of the fastest growing contractors in the Worcestershire area, J.F Wright and Sons have a reputation for delivering the highest standards. Work at the Old Fire Station has enabled us to take on even more local people.”

Last month, Malvern-based developer Guthrie Roberts revealed multi-million-pound plans to convert part of the former fire station into a mix of 28 one-to-three-bed luxury apartments.

A penthouse apartment with a balcony facing Worcester Cathedral and a first floor terrace and urban garden are also planned.

The locally listed building, which has been left empty since fire chiefs relocated in 2015, was built between 1939 and 1941 by Percy Thomas and Ivor Jones.

Ben Roberts, managing director of Guthrie Roberts, said: “Our plans include approximately 28 luxury, contemporary apartments, a mix of one, two and three beds, to provide options for a broad range of buyers.

"We intend to have an exciting commercial unit on the ground floor, and there will be a novel city garden for residents, external walkways, a courtyard for private car parking and luxurious interiors."

Meanwhile, Richard Everton, owner of city wine bar and shop Bottles in New Street, hopes to see a new wine shop and artisan food hall installed in the building as well.

Mr Everton said: “The new place will be a brand new wine shop and a big food court especially focusing on local producers and local chefs who want to take concessions in there,” he said.

“We’ll have wine and beer dispensers so you can have a glass of wine or buy a wine from the shop and walk around and get a pizza or a rotisserie chicken or something like that.

“We’ll also have a big outdoor seating area too and we have plans to hold tasting and other events.“We just want to bring an iconic city centre building back into use because it has been empty for seven years.

“We want to try and give the opportunity to local and independent producers rather than just handing it over to the big chains and brands. It just makes a lot of sense.”