BUSINESSMAN Roger Allsop is investing £750,000 to develop a key site in Ledbury town centre as a vote of confidence in the local economy.
Mr Allsop is about to seek tenders to build four shop units with offices above at the site of The Depot, off Bye Street.
Most of the warehouse-type building has already been demolished.
Mr Allsop, of Malvair Properties, of Malvern, said: "Now there's a vibrant economy in Ledbury, it's time to update the site for mixed use.
"We hope to start building by mid to late-summer."
For almost a decade, The Depot had been leased by the Jenkins brothers, as a base for their furniture and house removal business.
However, it was always understood that Mr Allsop intended to develop the site.
Mr Allsop said some of The Depot was probably part of a tannery dating back to the 17th Century. An archeological inspection will be carried out before work begins.
Malvair Properties Ltd originally had planning consent to develop the site from Malvern Hills District Council and renewed it last year with Herefordshire Council.
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