Planning application submitted for the refurbishment of the Piano Building
News release issued:
Plans for refurbishing the Grade ll listed Piano Building in Kidderminster town centre have been submitted to Wyre Forest District Council. Proposals for the upgrade of the heritage building have been designed by Worcestershire based One Creative Ltd and will be developed and delivered by Malvern based company Speller Metcalfe. Wyre Forest District Council purchased the building in February 2024.
Funded through the Government’s £17.9m Levelling Up Fund (LUF) grant for Kidderminster, the refurbishment will enable the Council to deliver an attractive mixed-use facility including the creation of new food and beverage spaces on the ground floor and the re-purposing of the three upper floors to provide a mix of office, co-working and hybrid working space.
The planning application details the change of use from an education academy to mixed spaces including food and drink areas, offices, a new enhanced lobby and landscaping work.
Councillor Dan Morehead, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration. Planning and the Green Agenda said,
“We’re pleased to see the plans for this striking building going before the Planning Committee.
Our vision for the Piano Building is to make it an attractive destination for workers and for people coming into town to meet up and enjoy food and drinks. By day, the building will be home to businesses, co-working and flexible working spaces. We are pleased to see this important town centre heritage asset being brought back to life.
The building is already attracting private sector investment with firm interest from potential occupiers who see their future success in this landmark building. This is one of the strategic aims of the project - to act as a catalyst for further activity and investment in the town centre, bringing in new uses and increasing footfall."
James Speller, Managing Director of Speller Metcalfe said:
“We’re delighted to see that a planning application has been submitted for the refurbishment of the Piano Building in Kidderminster. As a local contractor who is already on site working in the town centre, we know how much this scheme will positively impact the community and increase the number of facilities on offer.”
This project completes the current phase of investment in Kidderminster town centre which totals £45million of government grants, district and town council contributions into the most comprehensive town centre regeneration programme in decades.
The wider regeneration of Kidderminster town centre is progressing at pace with the imminent appointment of a contractor that will transform the Worcester Street area by connecting it with Bromsgrove Street via winding wide steps and an attractive open green space.