DUCATI has released an artist’s impression of what its new £1million dealership in Worcester will look like.

The showroom will replace the closed Detroit’s restaurant, in Castle Street, with the opening expected to take place at the end of April.

Residents near the site have welcomed the project and are pleased it is becoming a motorbike dealership and not a bar, as previously feared.

Roberto Fragiotta, who works at Ostlers at No.1 restaurant, opposite the dealership, said: “I think it will bring trade here. People will travel from afar to visit it.

“It will be good to see that building with something in it. It’s been a shame to see it empty.

“I’m glad there’s not going to be late-night drinking there.

“As long as they don’t switch them [the bikes] on, revving in the morning, it will be alright.”

Mr Fragiotta, who also lives above Ostlers at No.1, said he did not think the dealership would take much business away from other bike shops in Worcester.

The 31-year-old added: “It’s good to see it will not be somewhere that will open for five minutes and then close down.”

Residents in Severn Terrace previously opposed a proposal by the Pinches family to reopen Detroit’s as a family restaurant with a bar.

They were particularly concerned about plans to create a ‘drinking terrace’ outside the restaurant.

A mother, who lives in Severn Terrace, told the Worcester News: “A Ducati dealership will suit me well, it won’t keep the baby awake.

“I’m glad it’s being developed as it’s been empty for a long time and is a bit of an eyesore. The wind was blowing through the roof at one point.

“In the winter, people in the road had to call Severn Trent because of a leak. The building was leaking water into the road.”

Chris Booth, who is opening up the new dealership as part of his Ducati Manchester Group, said a planning application will be submitted soon.

He added: “I am sure the residents and neighbours will be delighted that we are transforming this prominent building into a beautiful showroom and that our opening hours will only be 9am to 5.30pm from Monday to Saturday. We have met with a few neighbours already and have told them our plans and they seemed very happy.”

Up to 10 jobs are set to be created at the new dealership.

The building is owned by the Grieveson family.