WHEN you look around the city and see all the empty shops, it’s tempting to become downcast and ignore the less obvious signs these buildings could soon be brought back to life.
True, the vacant, and sometimes shabby-looking, shops in Worcester city centre- of which there are more than 50 – do not immediately inspire confidence, some of them the legacy of once successful chains that have now collapsed or the changing ways we shop.
But cities have an endless capacity for reinvention and this only tells part of the story.
The new, green shoots of recovery may soon be sprouting in the heart of Worcester, bringing empty buildings like the former Debenhams and House of Fraser back into use.
According to data provided by Worcester City Council, there were 52 empty shops in Worcester in April, the latest published figure.
It is understood that discussions are underway with the property owners of the former Co-op in Angel Street, the former Argos in The Shambles and units facing onto Angel Place with a view to breathing new life into these empty and now deteriorating buildings.
POTENTIAL: The spacious interior of the former Debenhams in Worcester (Image: James Connell/Newsquest photos)
A Worcester City Council spokesperson said in a previous statement: “The percentage of empty retail units in the city centre equates to circa 10% and this is below the UK average retail vacancy rate.
“In recent years, the city council has been successful in securing Government funding to make significant investment in the city which has brought underused buildings back into use.
READ MORE: Former Debenhams Worcester plans: rooftop bar and Kula hotel
“Town centres need to respond to changing shopping habits, but in primary shopping areas, planning policy normally requires that ground floors are kept for retail and commercial use.
“There are some great opportunities for investments in Worcester city centre and the City Council always welcomes conversations with owners and potential investors.”
Robert Elliot, director of business engagement and policy at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: “The chamber is fortunate to have a large number of small independent businesses in its membership and we welcome every new business opening in the city centre and across the region.
“It’s important we seek as much support as possible to assist these businesses but most important we visit Worcester and support them.”
We also approached Chapel and Friary Walk for an update about the shopping centres and some of their empty premises but they declined to comment.
Empty shops in Worcester and what’s happening
EMPTY: Debenhams but plans are underway to bring the department store back to life as a Kula hotel (Image: Newsquest)
Debenhams to become Kula hotel
This now rather forlorn-looking city centre building will be transformed into a 63-bedroom hotel run by Kula, which already operates hotels in London, Birmingham and Manchester.
Debenhams closed in January 2021 but the planning approval creates hope that a new lease of life can be found for the building.
The first, second and third floors will be used for bedrooms, with hotel guests entering via a ground floor lobby off Bank Street.
City architect Nick Carroll, who is behind the scheme, said retailers are also being lined up to fill commercial units on the ground floor.
Councillors unanimously approved the plans.
House of Fraser in Worcester
House of Fraser closed its doors in September 2025 with the closure announced back in June. The Worcester store had previously been at risk of closure when the department store chain went into administration in 2018.
READ MORE: House of Fraser closing in Worcester but shelves are full
It was later saved from closure when Sports Direct chief executive Mike Ashley bought the retailer for £90 million. Shoppers in the city have frequently expressed a strong desire for a John Lewis store to replace it, though there are no active plans for one and no concrete plans for the site have yet been revealed.
SHUT: The former Argos in The Shambles in Worcester (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)
Argos in The Shambles
Argos in Worcester city centre permanently closed its doors in March 2021. Planning permission was granted in March 2023 for the unit to become a “Carousel Bar” (featuring retro arcade games and a rooftop bar), but the project has stalled, and the planning permission has lapsed.
The plans were submitted by Lindum Leisure Limited for a bar trading under the name Carousel Bars, which would feature retro and modern arcade games, including driving simulators, pinball machines, air hockey, darts, shuffleboard, quickdraw shooting and beer pong.
REVIVAL: The former Co-op in Angel Street in Worcester (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)
Former Co-op in Angel Street, Worcester
There are plans to knock down the old Co-op in Angel Street and create a new retail space plus 30 flats.
The scheme would add to the wider regeneration of Angel Street and Angel Place, which already includes the redevelopment of the Scala and Corn Exchange.
Developer Kaan Can is planning to demolish 8 Angel Street to ground level, keep the existing basement and erect a new three-and-a-half storey building.
Planning approval has been given to refurbish the Cricketers Arms, which has been closed since the pandemic, was granted in 2024.
Star Pubs & Bars was given permission to turn the eyesore building into a pub with a new name – The Shakespeare, in honour of the Scala theatre across the street.
FUTURE: The former Carphone Warehouse on Worcester High Street is to become a Holland and Barrett, giving the empty premises a new lease of life. (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)
Former Carphone Warehouse to become Holland and Barrett
The refurbishment at the former Carphone Warehouse on Worcester High Street got underway in March and is continuing.
Led by owners Chapel Walk, the empty shop which will now become a Holland and Barrett, giving the empty premises a new lease of life.
READ MORE: Scala Theatre redevelopment may be ‘new opportunity’
The start of the project marks another step forward in the centre’s ongoing regeneration.
We reported in 2020 how Carphone Warehouse, which had stores in the High Street and Malvern Retail Park, announced the closure of 529 stores across the UK.
Scala is key project
REGENERATION: Scala Theatre in Worcester (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)
Scala will be Worcester’s new arts centre which involves bringing two historic buildings back to life – the Scala Theatre, a former 1920s cinema, and the Grade II listed Corn Exchange.
Scala will provide Worcester with three new studio spaces and places for food and drink.
Angel Place will become a destination for outdoor events and a ‘dynamic new creative destination at the heart of Worcester city centre’.
Scala has been incorporated as a charity working in partnership with Worcester City Council. The regeneration of Angel Place, Scala and The Corn Exchange will connect with The Arches to become the Creative Quarter in Worcester.
