Pump House to reopen as cafe and event space

The Pump House has been closed since last year

The landmark Pump House in Worcester is to be transformed into a cafe with event space for the community under new plans.

Waylands Yard, which already runs a business in the city centre and Birmingham, is to take on the lease of the 19th century building in Gheluvelt Park.

The Pump House was the home of the environment centre until it closed last year when the lease ended.

Director of the Yard Coffee Group Joe Phillips said the new business will be known as Kyndfolk and include space for family classes, exercise groups and community projects.

Wayland’s Yard has operated a café in Foregate Street since 2016.

“Kyndfolk will bring a fresh, welcoming vibe to the local community by reimagining the traditional coffee shop experience," Mr Phillips said.

“With a focus on creating a space that feels like an extension of your neighbourhood, we’re all about offering something truly special that is grounded in bringing the community together."

Worcester City Council leader Lynn Denham said she was delighted the new lease had been secured at a "very popular destination, sat at the edge of one of our city’s beautiful award-winning parks and next to the river".

The Pump House, on the Waterworks Road side of the park Barbourne, dates back to 1857 and was once a waterworks building next to the River Severn.