THE inside of a former department store which was once the site for ambitious plans for a glitzy new food hall now appears empty and stripped back to basics.
Artisan Food Hall was originally set to open in spring 2022 at 67-71 High Street but plans never got off the ground and a year on the site remains closed.
We reported recently enforcement notices appeared on the windows of what was once Debenhams, the department store chain which has now been liquidated.
The notices, which were still on the doors on Monday, (February 5), said: "Pursuant to clause 32 of your lease dated February 23, 2021, we as authorised agents of the landlord have this day re-entered the premises demised by the said lease and the said lease is thereby determined absolutely."
A second notice reads: "You are hereby given notice to remove all your assets by January 24, 2024.
"Unless by seven days you contact the landlord acting as bailee for the goods will sell them without further notice and account to the lawful owner for the balance after the deduction of expenses."
But a planned Zinc bar inside the venue looks very different from a June 2022 picture that was shown on the Artisan Food Hall Worcester Instagram account.
That picture teased the bar showing the work that had been completed. On Monday the bar area looks completely different to the one in that picture.
Surfaces looked dusty, lights appear to have been taken out and the room generally looks untidy.
Meanwhile outside the boards saying "Artisan Food Hall Coming Soon' still remain up and are now covered in cobwebs.
The Instagram account has also been taken off the social network.
People in the High Street nearby said it was a "shame" the hall had not come to fruition and the site is just left vacant.
The site is now often used by shoppers who take cover when it rains due to the large roof hanging out over High Street.
The company behind the plan was previously known as Artisan Food Hall Worcester Limited, changing its name to BLOC71 Limited in January.
Companies House lists BLOC71 Limited as having 'accounts overdue' and that its confirmation statement is also overdue.
Attempts to contact BLOC71 Limited have been unsuccessful as there appears to be no phone or email listing for the firm
Plans for the food hall were first confirmed back in April 2021 which was originally tipped to be a nine-month transformation project of the former Debenhams store.
The first floor was earmarked for Canteen Society with plans to open between Friday and Sunday and for pop-up chefs and creators to fill the space.
The second floor was going to feature a city garden once completed and a space that could be hired for events, weddings, parties, and gigs every weekend.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel