BUILDERS have finally appeared at the Northwick Cinema ready to turn the landmark building into an interior design emporium.

Councillors agreed back in January that the grade II listed building in Ombersley Road, Barbourne, Worcester, could be used as an antique furniture store.

They also agreed to 16 apartments being built at the rear as part of the refurbishment.

It was hoped that the building would be back in use by September - but the builders finally started work this month.

Scaffolding has now gone up and the new owners - who have yet to be revealed - are expected to take over the building in four weeks.

Ian Perks, who still owns The Northwick at the moment, said builders have been carrying out roof repairs.

"Also, contractors should be in there now laying a new floor," he added.

The Art Deco interior of the 1930s building - featuring the last intact works of designer John Alexander - is also expected to be restored to its former glory. The Northwick's redevelopment has been a controversial issue since it closed in 1996 after spending five years as a music concert hall - it stopped being a cinema in 1967 when it was transformed into a bingo hall.

Recent plans which were put forward and rejected included turning it into an asylum seeker's centre or a church.