THERE will be many in Worcester interested to learn the identity of the new owner of the city’s historic former main post office.

The Foregate Street site has been empty since May when the Post Office’s controversial move into the WHSmith store in the city centre was completed.

In the meantime the county council revealed it was bidding to buy the building with plans to turn it into a ‘super station’ linking rail, bus and taxi services in Worcester. The scheme had received widespread support, particularly from rail passenger groups.

Now the plan appears to be scuppered after the Royal Mail revealed it had accepted a higher offer from an unnamed bidder.

Council chiefs are remaining bullish, suggesting they could work with the new owners of the site. If that could happen we would be delighted.

Our fear, however, is that the mystery bidders will turn out to be a pub chain. That would be bad news for Worcester.

There are already more than enough licensed premises in and around the city centre – so much so that some are struggling to survive.

What is needed at the old post office site is something that will enhance and improve Foregate Street rail station.

Something, in fact, quite like the county council’s plan.

Until we know who has bought the building it is difficult to judge the likely impact on the area. We just hope it will be beneficial.