Hold the front page – newspaper offices to be turned into apartments

A former newspaper office is set to turn over a new page – with the assistance of Redditch property agents John Truslove.

In a deal put together with the help of the firm, premises at 51A Upper Tything, Worcester, once the home of the Worcester Standard, has been sold to developer Muhammed Haque.

He has bought it as an investment and intends to give it a substantial makeover.

Mr Haque said: “I normally buy properties that I am able to convert into flats, and this is no different.

“The property had been used as the depot for the Worcester Standard for many years but more recently has been unoccupied.

“The building is not Listed, however it stands within a conservation area. The structure is sound and I am positive that I will be able to convert the premises from the current use into four self-contained flats, as well as retaining parts of the ground floor and basement for retail use.”

A planning application has been submitted to Worcester City Council and it is hoped a decision will be made in the New Year.

Mr Haque added: “I hope to start the conversion as soon as possible.”

Ben Truslove, of John Truslove, who Mr Haque praised for his “helpful and professional” approach, said:

“This is a significant investment and should be very welcome.

“It will give a new lease of life to a character building in an important part of Worcester while providing much needed accommodation. I wish Mr Haque well with the project.”

The building, which lies on one of the main routes into the city centre, comprises a total of 4,182 sq ft.