Wychavon to buy Riverside Shopping Centre by March

Wychavon is on track to buy Evesham’s Riverside Shopping Centre within a matter of weeks.

Negotiations with an external funding partner, which isn't being named at this time due to commercial confidentiality, are entering the final stages. They are expected to be completed in time for the sale to go through by the end of March.

The deal will also see Wychavon take ownership of units in Market Square – except for The Roundhouse, which is owned by NatWest - and some along Bridge Street, including Marilyn’s Nightclub. All existing tenancies will be honoured, and businesses will continue to trade. Wychavon intends to open discussions with Evesham Town Council about the potential transfer of Evesham Town Hall and the unit underneath currently occupied by The Valkyrie Bar.

The intention is to redevelop the site into a mixed-use residential, leisure and retail development in line with the Evesham Town Centre Investment Prospectus. Improvements will also be made to public spaces in and around Market Square and Bridge Street, with the aim of better connecting the town centre to Abbey Park and opening up views to the River Avon. Evesham Public Hall will also be refurbished.

A planning application to demolish the centre is expected to be submitted in April. An application for the redevelopment will be submitted at a later date, once a development partner has been appointed. A public consultation is also planned to help shape the redevelopment proposal. Details will be released at a later date.

Once the sale has been formally completed, the centre will remain open for a time while notice is served on businesses and organisations still trading inside the Riverside. Wychavon will offer support to help them relocate.

Cllr Richard Morris, Leader of Wychavon, said: “We have reached another milestone towards bringing the Riverside Shopping Centre into public ownership and fulfilling the promise we made to the people of Evesham in our We are Wychavon Plan.

“While there is still a lot of work to do and nothing is guaranteed until agreements have been signed, we’re confident enough progress has been made to be able to publicly share the timetable for the purchase and demolition of the centre for the first time.

“This is a truly game-changing moment for Evesham and represents a unique opportunity to kick-start the wider transformation of the town centre, building on the town’s assets, including the river, award-winning park and heritage.

“We look forward to working alongside partners, residents and businesses to help shape our exciting plans for the redevelopment.”