Plan to replace former Co-op supermarket in Worcester with new flats is put forward

The former Co-op supermarket in St John’s in Worcester closed in April and could soon be flattened and replaced with 62 new flats for the over 60s under new plans.

The mix of one, two and three-bed flats would be built in a two-to-three-storey building alongside a restaurant, coffee bar, activities studio, resident lounge, hair salon and garden as well as 35 car parking spaces.

A statement included in the application by Gladman Retirement Living said some of the communal facilities would be made available after concerns were raised about losing the former supermarket space forever.

“Reflecting the character of the area, the restaurant, activities studio and coffee lounge will be located on the St Johns frontage,” it said.

“The restaurant will be publicly accessible and open to members of the public when open to residents, and the activities studio will double up as a community room which will be available for hire.

“These facilities will help to integrate the proposals into the area, provide an active frontage to St John’s as desired by the council and bring wider benefits to the area.”

Earlier this year, St John’s councillor Richard Udall called for the building to be protected in the face of the upcoming planning application for a new retirement village saying it was an essential part of the community.

Some concerns had been raised about the loss of a supermarket in St John’s and Gladman Retirement Living said the former Co-op was “poorly performing” and no interest had been made in taking over the building for retail.

Changes have also been made to designs put forward at the start of the year after plans were criticised for looking “cramped” with the restaurant and community room moved to a more prominent location alongside the existing shops in St John’s.

You can have your say on the plans by visiting Worcester City Council’s website.

The application number is 22/00430/FUL and consultation ends on July 13.