WORCESTER'S planning committee chairman has called for fresh efforts to attract John Lewis - saying the shopping plaza fallout cannot be allowed to curtail investment.

Councillor Chris Mitchell has urged city bosses to find a new solution for the hugely popular retailer after Worcester Woods was rejected last week.

The Conservative politician, who took over on the city council's planning committee just weeks before the vote, has also defended the refusal decision by saying they "stand by" the move.

As the Worcester News revealed last week, developer Land Securities has failed to secure permission over its 13-unit retail park off Newtown Road.

The scheme, which included a Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury's, Next Home and a John Lewis At Home store, was blocked amid fears city centre trade would be damaged.

Council chiefs are now waiting to see if the firm appeals, which would trigger a long legal scrap.

Councillor Mitchell said: "I don't think the recommendation to refuse it was surprising, common sense tells you it would have a significant impact on the city centre.

"Whether you believe trade in the city centre would decline by 5.8 per cent or 10.8 per cent, any sort of impact like that would be difficult.

"But Worcester is very much open for business and I'd encourage John Lewis and any of the retailers to have discussions with the council.

"I do think there are options, it's obviously something John Lewis would have to consider but I would urge them to look at what else there is."

Councillor Mitchell cited other possible sites as St Martin's Quarter - a location also backed by planning officers - or even the CrownGate.

He also said if there was an appeal lodged over Worcester Woods, currently acres of unused land adjacent to Worcestershire Royal Hospital, the council would fight it.

"Sometimes organisations are contractually obliged to appeal after a refusal (under a deal with retailers), so it wouldn't surprise me if that was the case," he said.

"We'll have to wait and see. But we absolutely stand by our decision."

John Lewis released a statement hours before the decision last week saying Worcester Woods was "the only site suitable" for a new store.

Neither John Lewis or Land Securities has commented since the refusal, but just hours after the vote High Street traders renewed their appeals for it to open up a city centre outlet.

During the planning committee meeting the Worcester Woods scheme was savaged by councillors, who voted to boot it out 9-0.