THE former owner of a cafe on the River Severn has hit at Worcester City Council saying he is doubtful the riverside plan will ever come to fruition.

Chris Wise, owner of Cafe Severn on the Quay until last month, says he has heard it all before as he spent years working in an area that he says saw little investment.

“In 1988 the council did a consultation, with similar ideas," he said.

“It cost £20,000 and none of it came to fruition. In all the years I was at the cafe we heard rumours, but nothing happened. There is so much they could have done.”

The Worcester News recently reported on the launch of the authority’s ambitious masterplan, and launch of a new consultation. The plan proposes Riverside as one of the four quarters, with a walkway alongside the railway arches connecting Foregate Street with the area. The council says it has huge plans for the underused riverside with the hope of transforming it into an international tourist destination.

And the masterplan proposes the area becomes one straight park with a new four-star hotel with restaurants, bars and offices proposed to be built there.

Mr Wise said: “This was all talked about 30 years ago, maybe it was the funding that stopped it then. I want to be hopeful, I would love to see something done in that area. But I am dubious, will history repeat itself?”

A city council spokesman said: “The ambitious vision set out in the draft masterplan includes proposals for a range of improvements to the riverside, making it a destination for national and international visitors.

"City residents have responded strongly to the recent consultation, enthusiastically engaging with the ideas it sets out. There has been extensive investment in the riverside in recent years, with the £5 million regeneration of the pathways south of Worcester Bridge and the building of the new Diglis Bridge creating a very popular and well-lit area for walking, cycling and special events. Additional work to refurbish footpaths north of the bridge has completed a beautiful walking and cycling loop, and attracting more visitors to the area where Café Severn is based.”