A 100-year-old former cinema could soon be converted into apartments under new plans.

New plans would see the old cinema in Oat Street off Evesham High Street next to Evesham Library converted into 18 one-bed apartments.

The main cinema building, which is set back away from the High Street, currently sits behind a trio of businesses.

The move would “breathe new life” into a building that has “fallen into a greater state of disrepair as time ticks by.”

Storage space for up to 20 bikes would be provided but no car parking spaces would be built, with the application saying the building was already in a sustainable location and close to Oat Street car park.

The building first opened in 1923 as the Scala Theatre before closing in 1938 and then reopening as part of the Clifton cinema chain having gone through an art deco-style transformation.

The front of the building was rebuilt in the 1950s with shops and offices for the Worcester Co-operative Society and the cinema eventually closed in 1980 and later became a bingo hall.

It has since gone through several guises including Amber Café bar, Picture House Bar and Kitchen, Craft and Skewers and now Tequila and Lime.

A statement included with the application by agent J.E.D Design said: “The property comprises of a good-sized semi-detached brick façade structure offering a height of a four-storey building and housing, sadly a victim of our time a redundant cinema with tiered seating and stage and fly tower still in place from the first floor upwards, with toilets and staircases all with a touch of the Mary Celeste.

“That said following the introduction of the modern multi cinemas we saw the sad closure of many of these facilities of which the application site was one, as part of this the entrance and foyer and the lower tiered area were sealed off from the upper levels and converted to a bar and restaurant establishment which is still the use today.”

You can view the plans by visiting Wychavon District Council’s website.

The application number is W/23/00830/FUL and consultation ends on August 24.