A 'MAJOR national organisation' is looking to bring the eyesore former Co-op in St John's back into use. it has been revealed. 

Those involved in discussions remain tight-lipped about what the building may be transformed into but councillors hope contracts will be exchanged in the new year. 

Councillors representing St John's hope it could be the first step towards reinvigorating the site which had been blighted with 'crime, drugs and anti-social behaviour'. 

The supermarket in the Bullring closed its doors in April 2022 after 130 years in St John's.

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Councillors said they have been informed of discussions with Worcester City Council and the Co-op about the former store.

However, a Co-op spokesperson said the organisation was not in a position to comment on any potential sale. 

Cllr Richard Udall, councillor for St John's, claims the Co-op is in advanced discussions with a major national organisation and expects to exchange contracts early in the new year.

Fellow St John's councillor Jenny Barnes said she has also been informed of the potential sale. 

Cllr Barnes told the Worcester News while she has not heard which organisation it would be, she felt whatever ends up filling the vacant site would be better for the area than its current 'eyesore' state. 

She told the Worcester News: "The closure of the Co-op and car park caused major problems for local traders. 

“St Johns is a community centre. We have the library, the church and some very good small businesses and if there is a retail outlet facing the main street that would be great.

"If the prospective buyer is a retailer that would be ideal, but on balance whatever comes has to be better as long as it helps local businesses. 

"There are lots of small businesses that are really desperate to keep going and the building needs to be of benefit to them, not hampering them. 

“If this is the first step to reinvigorate the area that’s good news."

Cllr Udall said on Facebook: "This is hopefully good news that the site may soon be subject to improvement.

"We want to see the site occupied again.

"I would dearly like to see retail return to the site, but we have to wait and see what happens. Hopefully, not too long to wait."

Worcester City Council was unable to comment.