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Worcester Street, WOLVERHAMPTON, WV2 4LE

Much of the east side of Worcester street is in a dreadfully dilapidated condition. This is because of several years delay in the regeneration of the area - not all caused by the recent slump in property values, the credit crunch, the recession etc. etc. This has left property owners and the few remaining businesses in total limbo. All this is only four hundred metres from the city centre. Tatty, or what? Yet this image shows just about the best and most recommended computer repair shop in the city. I use it.

The shops on the west side of Worcester Street have been well maintained. Most notable are the attractively tiled frontages below the plate glass windows.

This shows the attractive tiling below the windows of the picture framing business on the corner of Worcester Street and Salop Street. The whole row of shops on this side of Worcester Street was smartened up in the late 1990s(?), in contrast to the deterioration of the opposite side.

Looking north towards Victoria Street from the junction with Temple Street. Several key roads in the city centre have been closed to through traffic while a slow and extensive "restructuring" and pedestrianisation is carried out. My advice to visitors driving in to Wolverhampton currently is don't, unless you know exactly where you are going, and where you will be parking. Very "challenging" for shops, and many businesses have gone. Residential development in the city centre is on the increase.

The west side of Worcester Street has a row of shop buildings dating from late Victorian or early 20th century times. In contrast to the east side, where uncertain plans for inner city development have left the shops more and more run down or even derelict, the units on the west side are being improved and refitted so that new businesses can occupy them. This beauty salon is an example, an understated frontage to a specialised service. It is noticeable that original tiles have been retained, and the original pavement (prism) lights constructed to illuminate cellars or vaults are still in place.

The west side of Worcester Street has a row of shop buildings dating from late Victorian or early 20th century times. In contrast to the east side, where uncertain plans for inner city development have left the shops more and more run down or even derelict, the units on the west side are being improved and refitted so that new businesses can occupy them. This beauty salon is an example, an understated frontage to a specialised service. It is noticeable that original tiles have been retained, and the original pavement (prism) lights which allow diffused light to illuminate cellars or vaults are still in place.

Although less than four hundred metres from the city centre, this area towards the market is only now becoming the target of the developers. These old frontages, painted, but run down are unlikely to last much longer, because compulsory purchase orders were served in 2006. However the huge plans for regeneration by building the "Summer Row" shopping development are now on hold due (a) to stalling tactics by the owners of the Wulfrun Centre, and (b) the severe financial implications of the "credit crunch" which have since developed following the inept practices of some mortgage companies and banks in all parts of the world. At least the delay will give the computer repair shop PC2000, seen here beyond the red car, more time to trade. I recommend it!

Much of the east side of Worcester street is in a dreadfully dilapidated condition. This is because of several years delay in the regeneration of the area - not all caused by the recent slump in property values, the credit crunch, the recession etc. etc. This has left property owners and the few remaining businesses in total limbo. All this is only four hundred metres from the city centre. Tatty, or what? Yet this image shows just about the best and most highly recommended computer repair shop in the city. I certainly use it.

Looking south towards the Ring Road and Penn Road Island. A few small businesses hang on here, many having left years ago before the Summer Row redevelopment scheme was scrapped.

The view down the street in Wolverhampton city centre.