The fire station is among the sites set to make way for new housing in Droitwich.

Wychavon District Council has unveiled potential plans to develop the town centre, with the aim of promoting Droitwich as a spa and leisure destination within the next 20 to 30 years.

This will involve a heavy marketing push on the Lido but also the redevelopment of the fire station, Union Lane and Netherwich Basin into an “urban village offering canalside town centre living”.

Cllr Bradley Thomas, leader of the district council, said: “Our town centres have been under pressure for some time and the prospectuses represent a positive vision for the future of each of them.

“This isn’t about what Wychavon wants to see happen but rather a shared ambition based on what we have been told by various stakeholders.”

Wychavon has said that Droitwich, Evesham, and Pershore are all facing “a perfect storm of issues”, including the aftershock of the pandemic, a permanent increase in home and flexible working, and a spike in online shopping.

As such, investment prospectuses have been drawn up by the council and consultants CBRE, offering a vision of what the future has in store.

Each prospectus outlines ‘Game Changer’ sites, areas that the council say have the “potential to bring about change”.

In Droitwich, this includes the redevelopment of the Union Lane (Baxenden) site, Netherwich Basin and the fire station, transforming the area into a new community.

Such a development would require finding an alternative site for the fire station but the council has stressed that Droitwich would not be left without adequate fire cover.

The result would be new housing, a permanent home for the Pamela May Canal Boat and Museum, and the opportunity for cafes and shops.

There are also plans to “make more” of Droitwich Lido when it comes to marketing the town with plans by the Friends of Droitwich Lido to turn it into a National Lido Centre or National Open Swimming Centre.

Potential for a permanent restaurant on the Lido site is also being explored, as are plans to bring back the Brine Baths.

Bromsgrove Advertiser: The investment prospectus for Droitwich has outlined the importance of "making more" of the Lido The investment prospectus for Droitwich has outlined the importance of "making more" of the Lido

There are further plans to promote the museum, Norbury Theatre, heritage trails and develop an expanded events programme.

Additionally, the prospectus outlines the potential of the St Andrew’s Square Shopping Centre to offer a “more experimental” offering including new shops, eateries and extended opening hours beyond 9am to 5pm.

The final game changer site mentioned in the prospectus is the High Street, with plans to improve the physical appearance and the potential of closing the space to allow events and markets.

Councillor Thomas explained that the prospectuses merely offers an interpretation of what is possible but is by no means “set in stone”.

He added: “Wychavon isn’t in charge of all of the Game Changer sites, so to make this vision a reality there needs to be a real drive from the public and private sector, and our communities, to make this happen. The prospectuses will be a powerful tool to attract investment from Government and the private sector into our towns.

“We can’t go back to how we did things before the Covid-19 pandemic. The future for our town centres is limited if we do that. But by thinking differently about our places, reimagining what’s possible, being bold and working together they have a bright future. Today is the start of that journey.”

The next step will involve the council speaking with landowners and investors to gauge interest in potential developments while progressing on the sites they do own, such as Evesham Public Hall.