SHOP owners and tenants in Droitwich Spa High Street have met to discuss potential plans to revamp the area.

Droitwich's High Street Regeneration Group held the meeting to discuss possible funding that the group has identified to finance the project.

Property owners met at the parish centre last Wednesday to hear presentations by the Civic Trust, the county highways department, the district council conservation officer, Waitrose, the town centre officer and the town mayor and chairman of the High Street Regeneration Group, Councillor Richard Morris.

There were visuals of how the High Street could be improved as well as a recently updated guide for possible shop front design.

The possibility of the group making a 50 per cent contribution to any costs with the remaining 50 per cent being paid by the property owner was also discussed.

The High Street Regeneration Group, which was formed earlier this year, is currently assessing the suitability of a local contractor to carry out the work.

As well as redecoration costs it is also hoped other necessary repairs that are needed can be identified. It is anticipated that work will commence in late spring next year.

Droitwich Spa town centre officer, Jill Campbell, said: "The meeting was a great success and we got some really positive feedback from people who attended.

"I have spoken to all of the tenants and store owners now and have had a positive response about what we are trying to do from about 95 per cent of them.

"Everyone has been supportive and the Civic Society in particular has been great. It is very important that the architectural heritage of the High Street is kept."

She said the next step is to find out the cost of the work before it can be put to tenants. It is also hoped that the contract for the work can be given to a Spa firm.

"We need to find out how much work needs to be done and how much that work will cost. This meeting was definitely a step in the right direction."