PERSHORE Town Council opened the doors at the High Street's former post office last week to show people its plans for the building, writes Mark Edwards.

Purpose-built in the 1930s, the building, which is not listed, has stood empty since the post office moved its operations across the road to Dillons in March 1999.

In January the town council bought the building for £180,000 and now plans to turn it into a new town hall, at a likely cost of about £500,000.

"I think it will raise the prestige of the town," said the mayor, Councillor John Grantham of the council's proposals at last Friday's open day, one of two held by the council.

"Empty buildings always make towns look sad and it's in such a central part of town and has been such an important building."

The plans foresee a tourist information centre in what was the old counter area, with offices for the mayor and town clerk, toilets and kitchen just behind in the old sorting office.

Further back from the High Street, there will be a function room, which can be joined or partitioned off from a newly-built council chamber at the rear of the building.

It is hoped the two floors overlooking the High Street will house the heritage centre, which will be accessible by lift.

Coun Grantham stressed the finished building would be fully accessible for all, with entrances to most parts of the building off a glass-covered walkway along one side of the building.

Perhaps the most striking element of the design is the plan to open up a path from the High Street to St Andrews Gardens, opening up a view of the abbey.

Architect William McMorran, who also attended the open day, said the project was an excellent opportunity to re-use an important old building and help maintain town centre vitality.

He hopes the design will be as flexible and accessible as possible, but stresses the ideas were the town council's.

The council plans to finance the scheme by selling properties such as its current home at Belle House in Bridge Street and St Agatha's Hall in Head Street.

It recently got outline planning permission to demolish St Agatha's Hall and build houses on the site, which could now be sold to generate funds.

Coun Grantham said he thought it would be money well spent, and added: "Nobody has come and said to me why are you spending all that money."

The town council intends submitting the plans to Wychavon District Council before Christmas in time for January's planning committee.

If the plans are approved, coun Grantham is hopeful the new town hall might be ready in time for Christmas 2001.