A multi-million-pound funding bid to revitalise Evesham town centre has been turned down by the government.

Wychavon District Council had bid for £19 million from the government’s ‘levelling up’ fund to complement a proposed £100m revamp of the town’s Riverside Shopping Centre but the plans have been rejected.

The council has nevertheless “pledged its commitment” to transforming the town centre despite missing out on vital funds.

The money would have been used as part of a £100 million revamp of the Riverside Shopping Centre and the town's main shopping area.

The proposal includes a theatre and cinema complex, a hotel, restaurants, cafes, bars, and independent retail outlets, as well as the potential for new homes.

The ambition is to open up the heart of the town centre to make the most of views over Abbey Park and the River Avon.

The proposal will also reconnect the main shopping area with Evesham's heritage assets like the Bell Tower, the churches of All Saints and St Lawrence's and Abbey grounds, and the Almonry Museum.

Cllr Bradley Thomas, leader of Wychavon District Council, said he was disappointed but undeterred by the snub.

He said: "Our application encompassed everything levelling up is – creating opportunities for lasting transformational change – so we are disappointed we have been unsuccessful.

"We are undeterred though. Residents and businesses tell us they want to see action to support and revitalise Evesham Town Centre and we share that desire.

“That's why we are committed to making the vision set out in the Evesham Town Centre Investment Prospectus a reality.

"We will review any feedback we receive from the government about our application and consider our next steps, which will include looking for other sources of funding."

Nigel Huddleston, MP for Mid Worcestershire, said: "I am naturally disappointed that we were unsuccessful in the latest round of levelling up funding, but I will continue to work with all stakeholders on developments that will enhance our community and I will continue to seek opportunities to bid for future government funding."

Elsewhere in the county, Worcester’s bid for £20 million of ‘levelling up’ money was also rejected whereas Malvern was awarded £20 million to expand Malvern Theatres.

Kidderminster and Bromsgrove have also been awarded money by the government.