Chairman optimistic over long-term use of village hall

The chairman of St Peter’s Parish Council is hopeful the ward’s village hall will continue in use in the long term amid doubts surrounding its future after 2027.

In his report to the annual parish meeting Alan Tucker said the village hall “continues to be a focal point for our parish” and commended the work of St Peter’s Village Hall Association (VHA) members for their voluntary work in maintaining the community facility.

Mr Tucker said: “In the past 12 months there has been substantial progress on the future of the village hall, raising hope that the hall will continue after February, 2027.

“The chairman of the VHA tracked down a senior official in Tesco with responsibility for property.

“Following a useful dialogue, it was established that Tesco do own the rights to the property.

“They indicated that, at present, they saw a long timescale for their operations on the site and were minded to extend the VHA lease.”

He added that the village hall was the only public community facility of its type in the south of the city of Worcester.

With the VHA exploring ways of improving the hall a project to refurbish and extend it has been included in a submission by Worcester City Council to the Government’s Town Fund. A decision on that is expected in the coming months.

Mr Tucker said: “Confidence is good that the application will be accepted and when that decision is known the VHA will draw up detailed plans for the project and confirm an extension on the site with Tesco.”