Evesham regen to begin after shopping centre decision

Plans to demolish a retail site dubbed ‘Britain’s saddest shopping mall’ have been given the thumbs up by planners at Wychavon District Council, paving the way for the redevelopment of Evesham town centre.

Wychavon District Council snapped up the Riverside Shopping Centre in March in an undisclosed deal, before immediately lodging plans to demolish it.

The “largely unoccupied and increasingly dilapidated” shopping centre, which opened in 1988, has welcomed no new tenants for more than six years.

Now, following approval at the authority’s planning committee yesterday, the 100,000 sq ft retail hub will be razed to the ground, alongside a multi-storey car park and a further retail unit at 42 Bridge Street, which currently houses part of Sports Direct.

Demolition is expected to begin in 2027, but Wychavon says it will start sooner if it can negotiate early termination agreements with businesses currently based at the centre.

Following the decision, Cllr Emma Kearsey, executive board member for planning, infrastructure and urban design, said the authority would now focus on the next steps for the regeneration of Evesham town centre.

“Securing permission for demolition was a key part of the steps we set out at the start to make change happen on the Riverside Shopping Centre site and we have now delivered on that commitment,” she said.

“That should give people confidence as we move into the next stage and start shaping the vision for the transformation ahead.”

Earlier this year, the authority said it would be seeking a development partner for the site, with a mixed-use scheme made up of housing, retail and leisure businesses being lined up.

Several developers have expressed an interest in the scheme, according to the council, with an appointment expected to be made in spring. Work could begin on a replacement for the shopping centre in early 2028.

Property consultancy Savills were hired in May to help drive forward the transformation of the Riverside Shopping Centre site.

“Demolition isn’t the end goal for Riverside – regeneration is,” said Cllr Richard Morris, Leader of Wychavon.

“We have no intention of replacing an empty shopping centre with an empty site. That’s why work to find the right development l partner is already progressing alongside preparations for demolition.

“There is strong interest in the site and we’re determined to keep up the momentum and deliver this game-changing opportunity for Evesham.”

The shopping centre opened in 1988 to initial success, but now hosts just a Home Bargains outlet and two charity shops. A national media article published in 2024 branded the run-down and largely empty Riverside “Britain’s saddest mall”.

Plans and documents relating to the application can be found on Wychavon’s planning portal, using reference: W/26/01261/FUL