WHEN it comes to the High Street, rumours of its death have been greatly exaggerated.

Worcester may have its fair share of vacant retail units, but it also has more than its fair share of passionate, inventive and creative business leaders. For them, vacant units present an opportunity for revival and transformation.

One such leader is Mike Lloyd, manager of Crowngate shopping centre.

In early November, Mike and the Crowngate team will be opening the History and Heritage POD! in one of the vacant units, a space celebrating Worcester’s rich and lengthy history.

Featuring historical photographs, archival newspapers and with scope for videos, the POD! will be launched to the sound of talks from historians and enthusiasts.

With support having come from a number of local partners, including the Civic Society (who are the main partner), the city council and Discover History, at launch the POD! will feature a talk from Worcester Civic Society exploring Worcester’s links to the Gunpowder Plot.

Worcester News: The POD! set up in Crowngate

Mike hopes the opening of the POD! will boost arts, crafts and learning within the wider Worcester area.

“There is a great opportunity for many community groups to link in and have their own POD! days at their community centres, church halls and residential halls, all of which I see coming from this resource.”

The potential benefits to the community don’t end there either. Dementia sufferers can respond positively to older, familiar memories, so the vast archive from which the POD! will draw can form the basis of memory days in which families, friends or groups.

You can catch the launch of the POD! on November 6, in the unit located at the Friary side of Crowngate, opposite Iceland.