A STUDY into hotel accommodation in Worcester has revealed there is room for improvement.

The extensive report compiled by Humberts Leisure said the city must be proactive if is to attract more hotel operators and make the most of the current demand.

There are currently seven hotels in the city, with about 395 rooms. While the number of rooms will nearly double if planned projects such as the hotel at Worcestershire County Cricket Club’s New Road ground and the proposed hotel at the Library and History Centre in The Butts go ahead, consultants described the current standard of hotels in the city as poor. The report said: “The standard of hotels currently serving the city is generally of a low quality, with very few hotels having undergone any substantial investment in recent years.

“Demand for hotels appears to be strong and growing. Despite concerns over the current economic climate, hoteliers remain relatively optimistic.”

A report compiled in 2002 suggested that Worcester should attract at least one top-end hotel. Worcester City Council had hoped that a four-star hotel would open on the former Royal Worcester Porcelain site, but no operators came forward. It has now been decided that the city seeks out hoteliers.

Council officer Linda Allen, speaking at a planning meeting, said: “We need to look at our strengths and then look for operators who want those things. We wanted a three or four-star hotel, but unfortunately that hasn’t happened. Some hoteliers will only look at an area with a population of more than 100,000.”

The report findings will eventually become part of the South Worcestershire Joint Core Strategy.

There are 29 hotels across south Worcestershire providing 1,416 rooms.