A DERELICT former pub which was ravaged by fire more than a decade ago is finally set to be converted into a popular pizza takeaway.

The popular takeaway chain Domino's Pizza is set to move into former St John's watering hole The Smoke Stack which was damaged by fire in 2007 and has remained boarded up since.

The regeneration of the building from eyesore to takeaway would finally bring two neighbouring and dilapidated buildings back into use - after it was announced the former nightclub and fellow eyesore Zig Zag's would finally be demolished to make way for apartments after more than two years of delays.

The re-opening of the building as a Domino's Pizza would bring at least 25 jobs.

Whilst no formal plan has yet been submitted by Domino's Pizza, the current application would give the thumbs up to allow for the installation of a ventilation and extraction system as well as a few alterations to the building to prepare for the pizza chain to move in.

Councillor Richard Udall, who represents St John's, said he was pleased to hear the eyesore building would finally be occupied but was "anxious" about it being another takeaway.

He said: "We don't need another takeaway in St John's but my main concern is getting the place occupied.

"We already have another pizza takeaway not very far away and I would like to see a little bit of variety in St John's.

"Having said all of that my biggest anxiety is getting the building occupied so I would say it is finding the right kind of balance."

The proposed opening hours of the new takeaway would be between 11am and 11.30pm from Sunday to Thursday and 11am to 00.30am on Friday and Saturday.

Three parking spaces would be included to be used by delivery drivers.

The pizza chain has said the ventilation system has been designed to push odour and noise above and away from any nearby flats in St John’s. Domino’s has said it does not deep fat fry and food from its takeaways which would also reduce strong odours coming from the building.

The new plan would also mark the end of any plans to re-open the building as a pub.

A plan was approved by Worcester City Council in 2014 to bring The Smoke Stack back to life with a number of flats built above it but those plans never got off the ground.

Another plan to flatten the former popular nightspot Zig Zag in St John’s and build 12 new apartments above shop and office space was approved by Worcester City Council’s planning committee way back in October 2016.

The eyesore building had fallen into a state of severe disrepair since it closed more than 20 years ago and was ravaged by fire in August 2007.

Work had failed to begin despite a condition being included in the application when permission was granted that work should have begun within two years.

Worcester City Council said permission to build the apartments had finally been approved after the authority and the developer came to a final agreement over section 106 money.