Future High Streets Fund

Worcester was awarded £17.9million in late 2020 from central Government, investment that is now transforming the northern part of the city and beyond.

Substantial connectivity and public realm work improving pathways, roads, and other vital facilities (inlcuding litter bins, parking, and cycle shelters), have already been completed across the town centre.

Plans for a multi-use arts venue have been developed, in a scheme that will revive the historic Scala Theatre, Worcester’s original 1920s cinema, and renovate the empty Grade II-listed Corn Exchange.

This major development will complement The Arches - Worcester, the refurbishment of Worcester’s Victorian railway arches, located less than five minutes’ walk from Angel Place.

What’s been done so far?

Scala / Corn Exchange

What the completed Scala arts centre will look like. Image courtesy of Burrell Foley Fischer

Worcester City Council is leading a project to renovate the historic art deco Scala cinema and Grade II listed Corn Exchange in Angel Street to create a dynamic new arts centre. It will be a welcoming arts hub in the heart of the city where people can come together to enjoy, imagine, and cultivate a more creative future for Worcester. Its offering will include music, film, live performance, talks, digital installations, dance, workshops, and more. 

The current state of the Scala stage area

Following acquisition of the two buildings in 2021 the Council has led on the development of the ambitious plans to convert the Scala and Corn Exchange into a dynamic new arts centre. Following an extensive consultation with the arts and local community, planning permission was granted in March 2024 for the conversion of the Scala to provide three new studio spaces (and associated front and back of house facilities) and the Corn Exchange to provide a new arts centre bar, café, event and gallery space with associated facilities. The new studio spaces provide flexible accommodation for music, film, live performance, talks, digital installations, dance, workshops, and more. 

Worcester City Council is working with the following arts organisations to develop Scala arts centre:

• Collar and Tie - finds new ways of fusing drama and digital technologies
• Dancefest - produces outstanding contemporary dance opportunities for all
• Mobilise Arts - creates and produces bold, new live and digital work
• Severn Arts - focuses on widening access to the arts for all, particularly children and young people
• The Kiln - provides co-working space for Worcester’s remote workers
• Vestan - specialises in independent cinemas and live music.

It is anticipated that construction of the new facility will start in September 2024 with completion scheduled for 2026.

Public Realm Improvements

A comprehensive programme of public realm improvements has been carried out to enhance the visual amenity of the area and integrate the northern gateway with the rest of Worcester city centre.

The work has been phased and progressed as set out below:

• Phase 1 – Angel Row / Angel Place (north) - complete
• Phase 2 – Trinity St (south) / St Swithins St - complete
• Phase 3 – The Cross - complete
• Phase 4 – The Foregate / St Nicholas St / Trinity St (north) - complete
• Phase 5 – Foregate Street - complete
• Phase 6a – Angel St north – complete
• Phase 6b – Angel St south – to be completed.

The works have included the resurfacing of footways and carriageways, plus improvements to cycle shelters and parking bays. In addition, conservation kerbs, new bollards and railings, new lighting, and new street furniture have been delivered.

The final stage of improvements will see Angel Street south upgraded to support the new art centre proposals at the Scala. 

Angel Row in Worcester

Property Enhancement Scheme

The grant scheme was launched in November 2021 and allowed applicants to apply for a grant of up to £30,000 towards the physical restoration or conversion of buildings to support and enable future occupancy.

A total of 15 grants have been awarded to properties within Angel Street and The Cross (the Future High Streets Fund geographic area). The works included improvements to commercial ground floor units, access to upper floors and the creation of residential units on upper floors. It is currently estimated that around 3,000 square metres of floorspace have been repurposed, providing 19 new residential units and 13 commercial units.

The property enhancement scheme is now closed for new applications. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why the northern gateway?

Since the 19th Century, the northern gateway to Worcester city centre – the area around The Cross, Angel St and Trinity St – has served as a commercial hub within the city. However, the area has recently seen a decline as the number of vacant retail units has increased and footfall has decreased.

The objective of this programme is to create a vibrant leisure and entertainment quarter adjacent to the high-quality primary retail core, providing residents and visitors with an additional incentive to spend time in Worcester's city centre.

Who made Worcester’s bid for Government funding?

Worcester City Council prepared and submitted the successful bid with support from Worcestershire County Council, Worcestershire LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership), the Crown Estate (former owner of Crowngate Shopping Centre), the University of Worcester, Worcester BID (Business Improvement District), the owners of Trinity House, former markets operator LSD Promotions and others.