Worcester: Former Jaqk’s takeaway finally bulldozed down

Worcester City Council revealed its demolition plan for the former Jaqk’s takeaway to make way for a new footpath to The Arches is nearly complete. 

Jaqk’s takeaway, which is next to the railway bridge on Foregate Street, has finally been demolished and work to remove the floor slabs has begun.

GONE: The former Jaqk’s takeaway has been removed. (Image: Newsquest) The new walkway will include improved lighting to help ensure that the route between Foregate Street and the riverside is safe to use at night.

It will be the final phase in Worcester City Council's The Arches – Worcester project which has been funded by £4.5 million from the Government and Arts Council's Cultural Development Fund.

A Worcester City Council spokesperson said: “The demolition of the former Jaqk’s takeaway at 56 Foregate Street is the final phase of The Arches – Worcester regeneration.

"It is being knocked down to open up access from the railway station to the Arches development beyond.

Before: The site before construction started. (Image: Newsquest) “The city council’s contractor has now completed the demolition of the building and is currently removing the floor slabs.

"Work will then begin to pave the entrance and that will be followed by repairs to the tarmac of the route between Foregate Street and Farrier Street."

The building adjoined the Foregate Street railway bridge, so scaffolding had to be put in place during a weekend overnight line closure to avoid any risk to the railway service.

During June 15 and 16, Network Rail installed a protective screen between the top storey and the railway bridge.

(VISION: An artist's impression of the revamped Foregate Street. Pic: Worcester City Council)

There are plans for an official opening of the new route later in the autumn.

Worcester City Council said it will be announcing more details nearer the time.

The demolition was completed by the end of last month.

Once the work is completed it will create a new gateway link between the city centre and the river Severn.

Images released in 2022 showed that once completed there would be a cleaned-up and greener Foregate Street with new plants and trees leading up a freshly paved trail towards the recently regenerated and re-opened railway arches.