THE dilapidated ground floor of Evesham’s town hall is finally set to undergo a facelift after almost a decade as a derelict eyesore.

The building dates back to the 16th century and after standing empty since 2003, the ground floor is set to be transformed into a coffee shop and it is hoped this will be a step towards transforming the area into a continental- style piazza.

An Evesham man is behind the plans to revamp the former PJs Nightclub into a café and second-hand clothes shop. Tony Fisher said he wanted to do something positive for the town after seeing so many shops close.

He said: “My idea is to build up some business in Evesham starting with a coffee shop. I have wanted to do something to improve the situation for a long time. I have become increasingly aware of the poor state of the town centre with shops closing every week, it seems to me.”

Mr Fisher hopes to be in business by November.

“It is such a prime spot and it has been let to run derelict. Other landlords in Market Square are looking to open smaller businesses and turn the square into a venue like a piazza.”

Mr Fisher’s plan is that some of the money generated from the businesses will go towards creating a new charity to help other people in Evesham start up in trade.

“It will be a social enterprise,”

said Mr Fisher. “We will be putting something back into the community.”

The charity will be called Life Trust, standing for Local Initiative For Enterprise.

“Our business plan is to start at least one new business a month in Evesham over 2013. I have kids of my own struggling to find work in Evesham.”

Mr Fisher says the two shops should generate five jobs this year and hopes to increase this to about 100 jobs the following year.