SCAFFOLDING shrouding the former Royal Infirmary buildings is starting to come down as the University of Worcester’s city campus takes shape.

The Royal Infirmary has been one of Worcester’s most important buildings for more than 200 years but had recently lain derelict.

Now the university is returning it to the heart of city life as the new home for Worcester Business School.

Its Edwardian extension will house a well-being centre for students and the community.

Dr Martin Doughty, the University’s pro-vice-chancellor said: “These magnificent buildings have not been seen in all their finery for some time now, particularly the chapel.

“This is an important part of the history of Worcester and the very place where the British Medical Association was founded.

“We are sympathetically restoring the buildings so that they can once again play a part in the lives of the city residents.”

Carl Jukes, Worcester City Council’s conservation officer, said: “These buildings are an important part of Worcester’s history and I am pleased to see them being restored in such a sympathetic way.

“I have been working closely with the university on this project and am delighted to see it now taking shape.”

The two new halls of residence being developed at the new city campus are nearing completion.

The buildings, which will provide 177 bedrooms, will be occupied in September this year.

The £100 million-plus City Campus is providing 120 construction jobs on site now with more to come.

It will include a centrepiece city square, a multi-use performance and conference centre, student residences and an innovative new well-being centre, as well as state of the art new teaching accommodation.

The new campus will link to the new Worcester Library and History Centre in the Butts, the first joint public and university facility of its kind in Europe, the construction of which is scheduled to begin in the summer.

Parts of the original Georg-ian infirmary were built in 1797 and the grade II-listed chapel in 1849. The hospital was replaced by the new Worcestershire Royal, on the city’s outskirts, which opened its doors to patients in March 2002.