Petition launched to protect former music hall

Vesta Tilley House is currently used as office space

A petition has been launched to protect an historic building in Worcestershire from future development.

Campaigners are calling for Vesta Tilley House - a former music hall in Lowesmoor, Worcester - to be locally listed.

In 2020, a proposal to revamp the building was submitted with plans including bars, restaurants, cafes, shops and hundreds of apartments and offices.

Following backlash, the proposal was withdrawn but there are still concerns the building could be lost to future schemes.

'Alarmed'

Formal Locally Listed status does not afford a building the statutory protection of a nationally-listed site, but, designated an important part of an area's heritage, any future use may have to adhere to certain guidelines overseen by the local authority.

These can seek preservation or enhancement, with features of architectural or historic interest retained.

Starting the petition, Worcester councillor Jabba Riaz said he was "alarmed by the threat posed to Vesta Tilley House".

Mr Riaz said the loss of the building, which became a Salvation Army Citadel in 1881 and has since been used for office space, would be an "irreversible loss to the character of our city".

Historic England has called Vesta Tilley House "a building with great presence".

"Despite Historic England’s praise for this important local landmark, it remains unprotected from potential development," said Mr Riaz.

"We now have an opportunity to locally list this building before a further application goes in."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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