A twenty-million-pound bid by the city council for ‘levelling up’ money has been rejected by the government.

The huge plans, which included major improvements at Worcester’s Pitchcroft Racecourse, the much-needed renovation of the listed Engine Works building in the tired Shrub Hill area and a big boost for the Nunnery Wood Sports Centre, have been snubbed by the government in its latest ‘levelling up’ fund announcement.

While it is bad news for the city, Malvern Hills District Council was successful in its bid for £20 million to expand Malvern Theatres.

The improvements to Worcester’s Pitchcroft Racecourse included a new rooftop bar and riverside café and function room, a larger conference centre to host bigger events and an extended and modernised grandstand.

Ten-million-pound work to transform the former Engine Works building in Shrub Hill Road into work and office space also formed part of the bid.

Want to stay up to date with all the latest news for your local area? It's easy, just sign up for our email newsletters here and all the important stories that matter to you will be delivered straight to your inbox.

The plans for Nunnery Wood Sports Centre off Spetchley Road included a new sports hall and exercise studio and a refurbishment of the centre’s athletics facilities including a resurfaced running track.

Plans also include a new clubhouse including changing rooms and toilets, kitchen and seating, new floodlights, a bigger gym and changing rooms and a new reception and bigger car park.

Earlier this week, the city council revealed it is planning to cut the leisure centre’s opening hours to save money on its energy bills.

Worcester City Council’s second bid for ‘levelling up’ money was revealed last summer and came after the city was given almost £18 million in 2020 to spruce up the northern side of the city centre – including a new Scala Theatre.

Those plans have run into budget troubles in the last 12 months with the council forced to redraw plans for the new 500-seat venue and scrap several key pieces of the project to help pay for the centrepiece theatre work.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove announced the successful bids on Thursday (January 19) which included £20 million for Malvern Theatres, almost £18 million for walking and cycling work and improvements to Kidderminster town centre, £14.5 million for Bromsgrove town centre and £20 million for walking, cycling and public transport improvements in nearby Hereford.