FOLLOWING significant investment by a businesswoman, work being undertaken to restore a long-term vacant Grade II listed property on Pershore High Street is nearing completion.

The building, which was first registered as a listed building on August 3, 1972 for its special architectural and historic interest has been restored by Sasha Hyde and her specialist contractors, alongside dedicated teams from Wychavon District Council.

The retail and art store, to be called Persora, is a three-storey, double-front property, where Persora will occupy the ground floor units as its front-of-house retail space, with a secondary gallery space on the first floor, which will host local and residential artists and sculptors.

Celia Biolcati, conservation officer at Wychavon District Council, said: “We’re always very keen to work with people repairing and bringing listed buildings back to use, aiming to make the process as straightforward as possible.

“It’s fantastic that this wonderful building has been so carefully adapted and brought back to use which would, in turn, benefit Pershore High Street, also good news for the economy.

"We wish Persora all the best with their business venture and thank them for working so closely with us.”

Ms Hyde said: "Wychavon District Council has been invaluable in their advice and guidance throughout the whole process.

"Many people are put off purchasing a listed building but the support we have received has made the entire process completely clear cut and we have learnt a lot throughout the duration of the project.

“There are some beautiful areas within the building that have been restored and kept visible for visitors to the project to see, including original lath that will be sealed with glass and beautiful plaster cornices in the ground floor space are among just some of the features.

“We originally applied for part funding through the Government’s Redundant Building’s Programme to help towards the restoration of the project but the application was complicated and we were asked to change our business model and so we didn’t progress with it.

"We have invested a lot of our own personal money and time in ensuring that the building retains is historical significance, which will provide a new destination for retail and arts in Wychavon and, needless to say, we are really proud of it.”

The West Midlands is home to two World Heritage sites, 1,422 scheduled monuments, 604 Grade I listed buildings, 2,089 Grade II listed buildings, 150 registered parks and gardens and 770 conservation areas.