Foregate Street: Work to demolish old Jaqk’s set to start

The old Jaqk’s takeaway on Foregate Street, next to the railway bridge, will be knocked down to open up access from the railway station to the Arches development beyond, with work starting later this month.

The new walkway will include improved lighting to help ensure that the route between Foregate Street and the riverside is safe to use at night.

This will be the final phase in Worcester City Council's The Arches – Worcester project, which has been funded by £4.5 million from the Government and Arts Council's Cultural Development Fund.

The former Jaqk’s takeaway building on Foregate Street (Image: Worcester City Council)

Place and economic development committee chair, Robyn Norfolk said: "It is fantastic that work is starting to demolish the old take-away building in Foregate Street, re-opening a historic route to the riverside.

"The work will create a safer walking and cycling access between Worcester Foregate Street Station to The Hive and the river.

“Once finished, the route will provide a more attractive welcome to the city from the train station down to the river.

“Demolishing the current building will also showcase Worcester's historic railway arches and railway bridge to visitors, allowing the beautiful design of the latter to be fully appreciated.

“We hope that the new Arches spaces attract more independent food and drink, retail, cultural, leisure and commercial businesses to Foregate Street, along with giving a better welcome for visitors arriving in our city by train.”

Scaffolding will be installed and then the City Council will take advantage of a scheduled overnight railway closure by Network Rail between June 15 and 16  to install a protective screen between the top storey and the railway bridge.

The demolition is expected to be completed by the end of July.

Paving and other works will then take place, with the walkway due to open in the autumn.