ROOMS above a popular city centre restaurant could be redeveloped.

Plans are in motion for the floor above Poppins restaurant at 18 The Foregate in Worcester to be rebuilt and turned into short stay and letting accommodation after a planning application was submitted to Worcester City Council.

John Brennan of Nick Carroll Architects - who is handling the project - said: "The redevelopment of 18 The Foregate will provide a variety of uses for short stay and letting accommodation.

"This will contribute to the economy and tourism as well as satisfying the need for housing.

"It will contribute to the vitality of the High Street, and effectively provide use of the limited space we have in the city centre.

"The Poppins restaurant will be retained and stay active during construction.    

"The site will be rebuilt from the first floor up, reinforcing the character of the city centre conservation area.

"This will be the third time that the site has been redeveloped in its history and we hope that this proposal will have a lasting and positive legacy to the city of Worcester."

An artists impression of the redevelopment should plans be approved. (Image: Nick Carroll Architects)

An artist's impression provided by Nick Carroll Architects shows that Poppins' exterior façade will be refurbished alongside the rebuild of the space above the restaurant.

Adam Scott, a Worcester city councillor who represents Cathedral ward, said: "We welcome the use of upper stories in the city centre to ensure that more people have places to stay.

"Accommodation in the centre of Worcester is much needed and adds to the vitality of the city - it's always useful to have quality housing stock available, whether it's long or short term.

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"It's really important that the upper stories of our city centre buildings are looked after and well maintained too."

On news of the project's planning application, Cllr Scott added: "The plans will be subject to approval of course.

"They (the council) will be looking to see that adequate provisions have been made and that the proper standards are met."