PLANS have been approved to upgrade Kidderminster’s Grade II listed Piano Building so it can be repurposed for mixed commercial use.
Plans submitted by Wyre Forest District Council detail the change of use from a higher education academy, restaurant and retail to mixed use, office, food and beverage space and entertainment. There will also be a retail area.
The planning committee also approved the associated internal refurbishment work including the creation of a new entrance lobby and landscaping work outside.
Coun Marcus Hart, Wyre Forest District Council leader, said: “We are pleased to have the detailed plans for the Piano Building approved.”
He added contractor Speller Metcalfe was now on site and ‘ready to bring the plans to life’.
“This development represents the re-use of a locally and nationally significant listed building in a primary retail area of Kidderminster town centre.
“As a building that is owned and managed by the council, the plans provide a significant opportunity to support the economic growth of the district and our longer-term aspirations in regenerating and reinvigorating Kidderminster town centre.”
Coun Dan Morehead, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Planning and the Green Agenda, said: “It will be great to see the re-purposing of the building completed and to see the lights on with people using the building again.
“We look forward to offering new tenants ‘one of a kind’ modern workspaces with lots of glass, oak floors and industrial look features as well as a central destination for local people and visitors to meet up for a night out or daytime bite to eat and drink.”
The develoopment is being funded by the Government’s £17.9m Levelling Up Fund (LUF) grant for Kidderminster and the Piano Building will be ready to occupy from the spring 2025.
Email [email protected] for more about office or commercial space available in the new-look Piano Building.
