Hoarding in place to cover Worcester ‘eyesore’ after criticism from traders

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A shopping center has moved to disguise an eyesore building with colorful hoarding after facing criticism from traders.

The Crown Estate, which owns Crowngate Shopping Center in Worcester, has made the move to cover up ongoing repairs to Broad Streets Poundland store.

The work to fix Angel House will not be finished until next year and the scaffolding-covered building has been branded a monstrosity by neighboring traders.

The hope is the new ‘open for business’ sign will direct shoppers to Broad Streets other businesses that have felt neglected since the repairs began.

A planning application has now been put in for the hoarding – even though it is already in place.

Worcesters only Poundland store shut its doors 15 months ago after it was revealed repairs needed to be carried out to Angel House in Broad Street.

The Crown Estate is carrying out the first phase of repairs but still needs to investigate the extent of the damage and does not expect the Poundland store to open until spring 2023.

Angel House closed in May last year to allow for renovation work but was left in a hazardous condition and at risk of collapse following Storm Arwen in November.

It led to the closure of a section of Broad Street for about a week while emergency works were carried out.

Scaffolding was installed to make the building safe with more works planned before the building can reopen.

Battering rains and high winds from Storm Arwen forced Worcestershire County Council to close Broad Street for more than a week in the run-up to Christmas over fears the front of Angel House could collapse.

Earlier this year, Poundland said it remained committed to the city center and was working closely with the Crown Estate to ensure the Broad Street store re-opened as soon as possible.

The ongoing repair work to the Broad Street building has come under fire with scaffolding branded a monstrosity by neighboring traders.

Rachel Evans, owner of New England Country Store in Broad Street, said she was frustrated by the eyesore obstructing the view of her shop.

The owners of Toys and Games of Worcester criticized the work saying no serious effort to engage, assist or reward traders had been made.

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