A CONTROVERSIAL Kidderminster revamp plan will go ahead as Worcestershire County Council approves a £1.5million grant.

But shoppers and business owners have continued to criticise Wyre Forest District councillors for their choice of area to refurbish.

At a meeting on Thursday, cabinet members from the county council backed the proposals for a new public square near the town hall and approved the investment which will be added to £500,000 from the district council purse.

Set to start in early 2015, the once booming carpet town will also be given a modern facelift with money invested in new lighting, pedestrian pathways, seating areas and street furniture in Exchange Street, Oxford Street, Vicar Street and High Street.

Among the changes there is even a 'Heritage Rock Walk', which plays homage to Kidderminster's rock gods, Led Zeppelin.

Councillor Simon Geraghty, deputy leader and cabinet member for Economy, Skills and Infrastructure at the county council, said: "We are aiming to modernise Kidderminster and promote it as both a leisure destination and a place of investment for businesses looking to locate to Worcestershire as well as those looking to expand.

"This significant investment, part of a series of projects in the Wyre Forest area, is aimed at revitalising the town centre to make it a good retail and social space. Working with the local district council, the new paving, lighting and street furniture will raise the quality of the public space and ensure the heart of the town centre is a vibrant and thriving place."

Cllr John Campion, cabinet member for Economic, Regeneration and Planning at Wyre Forest District Council, said: " Kidderminster is a key retail hub in Worcestershire, attracting visitors to a wide area. I welcome the support from the county council which will see much needed investment in this first phase."

But after cllr Campion told The Shuttle the money was being spent because the town was "thriving" refuting claims from businesses in Worcester Street, a short walk from the regeneration site, they were being "ignored" because their retail area had not been revamped in more than 10 years, more businesses and shoppers took to Facebook to criticise the plans further.

Vincent Taylor said: "Not sure where this man is but it certainly is not Kidderminster. The place is dead in the water. Wake up and take a look around."

Jon Smith added: "Thriving?! If your definition of thriving is empty retail units, small businesses struggling to survive and the heart being ripped out of the town, you're spot on."

Facebook user "Bobbys Mum" works in a store in Horsefair and claims she is also having the same problems as those traders in Worcester Street. She said: "He (Campion) is having a laugh. Tell him to come and talk to us in the Horsefair. We opened in March and rarely see any one. Thriving is not a word I would use. When it comes to renewing our lease we won't be bothering."

But shopper Rachel Louise Akathiotis had a different approach about bringing more people into the town. She posted: "It's a shame people don't live in Kidderminster Town Centre like in Bewdley. That would give it more heart, soul and character."