A DERELICT old Worcester nightclub will be transformed into an apartments complex in a “long awaited” overhaul.

The revamp of the former Zig Zag nightspot in St John’s has been approved by Worcester City Council’s planning committee.

Under the move developer Peter Styles will demolish the eyesore building to the ground and build 12 flats overlooking new retail, breathing fresh life into the area.

The decision follows years of concern about the site, which has fallen into an increasingly desperate appearance since Zig Zag closed in 1998.

It has been boarded up since arsonists set it on fire in August 2007.

At the planning committee meeting councillors said they were looking forward to the development.

None of the flats will be affordable housing but planning officer Nick Kay said the developer was only making a profit of “circa 10 per cent”, and told the committee if they turned it down they may not get another chance.

“The site has been vacant for a number of years and there has been an aspiration to bring it forward for development for some time,” he said.

He told them the profit margin was “well below industry standards” and said a condition will be put in specifying that work must start within two years.

Cllr Pat Agar said: “This site has been derelict for too long, I do hope the developers act soon because we all want this to happen.”

Cllr Andy Stafford called it “an eyesore”, adding: “We all want to see it improved.”

Cllr Geoff Williams, a former planning committee chairman, said: “We’ve been waiting for this to happen since the end of the last century, so we need it to go ahead.”

Cllr Chris Mitchell, the current chair, added: “I really welcome it – it will be such an improvement and a good quality building which will enhance that area.”

In its heyday the nightclub was among the most popular in the entire city, drawing clubbers from across Worcestershire and beyond.

But after several different owners and a surge in competition from rivals, the venue closed down in early 1998.