A 'FOOTPATH to nowhere' near a demolished nightclub has now been closed and fenced off for three years as a council leader demands to know when it will reopen so shops can feel the benefit.

Rack Alley off The Butts in Worcester was once a popular thoroughfare, used by pedestrians to get to the shops in the Crowngate shopping centre and as a shortcut to the city centre.

Close to the Hive in Sawmill Walk and the bus station, the route was used to reach the city centre via Angel Place and Angel Street or by drivers parking in the nearby Cattle Market car park.  

Worcester News: GONE: Images nightclub in 2021 with the steps of Rack Alley visible to the left of the demolition site GONE: Images nightclub in 2021 with the steps of Rack Alley visible to the left of the demolition site (Image: Supplied)

However, Cllr Lynn Denham, the city council's Labour leader, says the footpath has now been closed for three years, causing 'frustration' to shop managers and shoppers alike, describing it as 'a footpath to nowhere'.

Cllr Denham, a Cathedral ward councillor, says she and a Labour candidate for Cathedral ward, Adam Scott, discovered the situation in January and since then they have made enquiries in the hope the footpath can reopen as soon as possible.

Worcester News: SHUT: Cllr Lynn Denham, pictured in February this year, near the new reinforced fence at Rack Alley which has been closed for the last three years (the previous fence was damaged)SHUT: Cllr Lynn Denham, pictured in February this year, near the new reinforced fence at Rack Alley which has been closed for the last three years (the previous fence was damaged) (Image: Worcestershire County Council)

A visit to the path reveals graffiti and broken glass strewn over the narrow steps.

Pedestrians can still climb the steps of Rack Alley near the demolished Images nightclub only to be confronted by a large chainlink fence, blocking their way.

There is no longer a street sign for Rack Alley as Images (to which the sign was fixed) is now no more.

Cllr Denham said: "It has been closed since 2021. That's while building work was going on. It was fenced off but that fence had been bent back and broken."

Worcester News: CLOSED: Pedestrians can still climb the steps of Rack Alley but they will be confronted by a metal fence at the top impeding any further progress CLOSED: Pedestrians can still climb the steps of Rack Alley but they will be confronted by a metal fence at the top impeding any further progress (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)


She said the fence had since been reinforced and that it was 'stopping people accessing Crowngate'.

"It's really frustrating. That should be a useful route for people to walk up from the Hive car park (Cattle Market) to the Crowngate shopping centre but it's blocked," she said.

Worcester News: CHANGES: The residential block which now replaces the former Images nightclub in The Butts which was demolished in 2021 CHANGES: The residential block which now replaces the former Images nightclub in The Butts which was demolished in 2021 (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Pedestrians can access the city centre by walking over the bridge from the Hive, cutting through the bus station or walking up The Butts in the direction of Foregate Street.

Mike Lloyd, centre manager of Crowngate, said: "We were made aware of continued closure of Rack Alley when Lynn Denham raised it with us some months ago since which we have tried to get to the bottom of why it is still closed.

"We have sought clarification from Worcestershire County Council but believe that there should be a handrail installed, to comply with legislation, following the construction of the adjacent property but also concerned about the lack of lighting in the area. According to the Worcestershire.Gov page the closure started November 15 2021 till June 28 (2024) so we hope that the works are completed quickly and the area can be reopened."

A spokesperson from Worcestershire County Council said: “Rack alley has been temporarily closed for safety reasons due to the development works carried out by Thorneloe Rengen (The Butts Ltd).  A diversion route is available to pedestrians via Angel Place in the interim.”