A city centre campaign is gaining traction as calls grow louder for urgent action to tackle long-standing neglect and bring it back to its best.
Launched by the Worcester News earlier this week, the campaign follows concerns raised by Phil Douce, president of Worcester Civic Society, about the deteriorating state of Worcester’s city centre.
Residents have highlighted issues including graffiti, empty shops, litter, grime, and weeds on buildings.
MISSION: Phil Douce of Worcester Civic Society outside The Cricketers in Angel Street in Worcester city centre wants to see the city returned to its best (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)
One reader, Hazlett, said: “The city centre has been in slow decline for years.
“Shop fronts are gaudy and tacky, the streets are filthy, there are down and outs and beggars all along the High Street.
“Nearly all the decent shops are gone replaced by tattoo parlours, cheap clothing outlets, vape shops, charity shops and poor quality fast food outlets with their attendant rubbish.”
Hazlett also criticised the council’s priorities and spending.
The reader said: “The council are clearly out of their depth wasting your money on vanity projects that the vast majority neither want nor need instead of getting the basics right.”
GRAFFITI: Church Street in Worcester has several graffiti tags (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)
Another reader, Bashby, called for greater accountability from property owners.
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Bashby said: “The landlords need to be taken to the cleaners.
“Happy to dodge, and take full advantage of loopholes they should face significant penalties if their buildings are not being maintained, the majority will be grade II listed within a conservation area.”
On our Worcester News Facebook page, Nicky Hobday wrote: “I used to love Worcester.”
Freddie Barker wrote: “I love Worcester. It’s just a shame these empty buildings are so expensive- small businesses don’t stand a chance of opening up here – even retail chains are closing – I’ve no doubt it’s because the rent and fees massively overshadow any profits made from potential clientele / footfall.”
Marylin Booth wrote in response to Mr Douce’s comments: “He’s right. There is very little that is attractive in the city centre, and there is very little to attract anyone to our city centre. Not a lot of retail etc.”
