COUNCIL chiefs have heralded the start of work to demolish the much-loved former Wyre Forest Glades Leisure Centre as an important stage in their regeneration plans.

It was the end of an era when work to begin demolishing the building, in Bromsgrove Street, started on Monday (January 23).

The interior has already been dismantled and AR Demolition have now begun demolishing the vacant site.

But Wyre Forest District Council chiefs have hailed the work as an "important stage" in their plans to redevelop the eastern part of Kidderminster town centre.

Councillor Ian Hardiman, cabinet member of planning and economic regeneration, said: "The demolition of the Glades Leisure Centre marks an important stage in our redevelopment of the eastern part of Kidderminster town centre and is part of our on-going commitment to the town that has seen £2m spent on the public realm with a further £1m set to be spent on opening up Worcester Street to traffic again.

"We have already begun to market the former Glades site, which has been re-branded as Lion Fields, through our retained agents Savills and we have received a healthy response to the initial Expression of Interest stage.

"We are now looking to invite detailed proposals from developers in line with the development framework, which was approved by the cabinet at its meeting in July 2016.

"The development framework envisaged that this parcel of the site would be suitable for a mixed use cinema and leisure hub, and this will form the basis of our disposal of the site."

Cllr Hardiman added: "By demolishing the Glades we are offering a more attractive site for the development market and this will help the redevelopment to occur at a quicker pace.

"Further discussion regarding the disposal of this important first phase of Lion Fields, which is considered to be a catalyst for the wider development of this area, is due to be considered by the district council’s overview and scrutiny committee and cabinet in February."

The Wyre Forest Glades Leisure Centre was opened by Princess Diana in 1986 and closed its doors for the final time in July 2016 - following 30-years of service. It paved the way for the new multi-million pound Wyre Forest Leisure Centre.

Shuttle reader Glyn Lloyd captured the footage as AR Demolition began demolishing the vacant leisure centre building on Monday (January 23).