THE transformation of a dilapidated vinegar works warehouse is continuing as building work is now well underway.

Hope Church has been working to reopen The Granary, in St Martin’s Quarter, Worcester, after gaining planning permission in June 2016.

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Richard Thomas, the team leader for the church, has previously estimated that the overall project will cost an estimated £1.7million, and fundraising has been continuing with more than £300,000 already raised.

“Hope Church obtained the site some three years ago and have been developing plans and fundraising to reach this point,” Mr Thomas said.

“In this building phase internal brickwork and exposed timbers have been shot blasted and 120 tonnes of soil and hardcore have been excavated from the ground floor and future lift pit - in readiness for a new concrete floor and lift shaft.

“New openings have also been made for new staircase and entrance doors and replacement heritage windows are on order.

“Our ultimate aim is for the building to play its part in ‘Building Community, Helping the Vulnerable and Enriching culture’.”

Built in the 1800s by non conformists, The Granary was part of Hill and Evans vinegar factory, whose site extended all the way to Worcester Shrub Hill station. At its height the vinegar factory became the biggest in the world, producing two million gallons of malt vinegar a year and with its owners playing a significant part in city affairs, one of them becoming a mayor.

MP Robin Walker recently met those behind the scheme and said: “It’s very exciting to see this heritage building taking shape to become a real community asset.”

Anyone who wants to donate towards the project can contact the church at hope-church.org.uk.