A DEVELOPER has unveiled ambitious plans for a new shopping plaza in the centre of the city.

The Salmon Harvester Opportunity Fund wants to "remodel" the Cathedral Plaza, at the bottom of the High Street, and has unveiled the ambitious plans to the public.

The group showed off the plans on Thursday during a special exhibition ahead of submitting the proposal to the city council later this month.

If approved, the scheme could create 100 jobs and boast seven restaurants across two floors in the building, part of which formed the former Russell and Dorrell department store, new retail space and a new public square, which will include remodelling the roundabout outside Worcester Cathedral.

“We’re excited about our proposals for Cathedral Plaza and the possibility of creating a new public square for Worcester, and we hope the city is too," said Nick Webb from Salmon Harvester which owns the plaza, having bought it in February 2013.

The plans will remain in Unit 20 of the plaza until Wednesday (May 7) for the public to view.

The group says feedback received in the next week will be considered by its development team prior to the final scheme being agreed for submission to Worcester City Council.

Should plans be approved the building could be up and running by spring 2016.

Yesterday, visitors to the exhibition gave their thoughts on the plans.

"I think this would be a good thing for Worcester," said Vicky O'Connor, who runs the Books for Free charity in the Lychgate shopping centre.

"It looks good and the concept is right.

"I think the building as it is at the moment is a bit of a white elephant."

Meanwhile Jules Wells, who runs Blow Your Top gents hairdresser in nearby Friar Street, had doubts over the traffic in the area.

"I hope it will be a good thing and bring people to the area but the traffic is already bad here, particularly during rush hour," she said.

Meanwhile one women, who didn't want to be named, questioned the need for so many eating places.

She said: "We need the high end shops, yes, but we also need the low end, too.

"I think it''s a brilliant idea but we need more balance."

As previously reported by your Worcester News, the plans for Cathedral Plaza include seven new restaurants overlooking an extended public square in front of the cathedral.

Talks have already been held between Salmon Harvester and Worcestershire County Council over the roundabout, which would reduce in size, with a pedestrian crossing close to the current Elgar statue.