Lifestyle

September Style in the City – Support your Local

September is traditionally the time when the fashion industry introduces the new season styles and looks for Autumn/Winter ahead. If you’re not quite ready to embrace Autumn vibes, dress for an extended summer; there’s still plenty of choice in the shops.  For an Indian Summer with daytime sun and cooler evenings, layering works.  Start with your Summer tees and add a light top or jacket to address whatever the weather brings.   Layering is made easier with scarves and lighter weight tops and sweaters.  Head to Stanford and Little Italy next door to each other at the Crowngate entrance on Broad Street. Each one stocks a variety of gloriously coloured pieces which will help you cross over from Summer to Autumn in style.  Add your own individuality in the finishing touches.  Visit Fat Lip on the High Street for stylish costume jewellery to finish your look with panache or head to ? on the Shambles for more choice of layering accessories and jewellery.

Hugh Mckenzie is the owner of Stanford on Broad Street.  “We already have lots of new lines in store ready for the new season.  Our key trends this Autumn/Winter are for tweed, leather and waxed fabrics.  We have a full range of tweed hats and waistcoats which are perfect for transitional dressing. We also are stocking trench coat style raincoats which are big news.  Colour wise, purple, navy and mustard are going to be everywhere. We are looking forward to a busy autumn ahead.”

Head further into Crowngate shopping centre for more of the best fashion finds.  House of Fraser offers a wide selection of men’s and women’s wear across three fashion floors.  Visit New Look to pick up latest looks or head to New England for English Rose styling from Cath Kidson and Seasalt.

For the kids, (including last minute back to school essentials) try Marks and Spencer and for the cutest baby and toddler items, JoJo Maman Bebe.

Insider tip: A lot of body warmth is lost through the head.  Add a hat for a stylish way to add warmth if needed.  Stanford in Crowngate on Broad Street has a great choice.

Insider tip:  Follow New Look Worcester on Instagram for the team’s favourites from in-store.  @newlook_worcester

Insider tip:  Locals love Emporio in Friar Street for its one-off styles, plus jewellery to layer over.

Worcester Business Improvement District is a business-led and business-funded body, working to improve and promote Worcester city centre as a place to live, work, visit and invest. As a democratically elected, independent body, Worcester BID enables more than 600 businesses to work collectively to influence and impact on how Worcester city centre is managed and develops. BID has been successful to secure its third term with the objectives to promote, support and enhance Worcester.

by BID Team

Tasty Worc – Indulge in some of the city’s culinary delights

Outdoor dining isn’t just for foreign travel.  As the Summer sun lowers in the sky and we enjoy an Indian Summer, the array of restaurants on Worcester’s Cathedral Square is as tempting as ever.

Outdoor seating and tables came about as a result of Covid but are loved by many and will stay if and when the weather allows.  Cathedral Square at the end of Worcester’s High Street boasts Mediterranean style vibes with Covid-friendly outdoor dining for balmy September evenings.

Around the edges of Cathedral Square are a wide selection of bars and restaurants with a menu for everyone’s tastes, all with the stunning Cathedral backdrop and a friendly nod from Edward Elgar close by.  So, with the kids back in school, surely a lazy lunch with girlfriends is a well-deserved treat.  Or how about creating some quality family time at the weekend (no phones at the table?!)….. and could Thursdays be scheduled in as regular date night?

On the menu, Zizzi, Pizza Express, Yo Sushi, Cosy Club, Five Guys, All Bar One or Miller and Carter:  the foodie spots in Cathedral Square have a taste for everyone.

At Zizzi, next to the Elgar statue, Molly Massingham is the Assistant Manager who notes that the restaurant is always busy: “Since restrictions eased, we have been constantly so packed every day, all through the week. Customers tell us they want to catch up from being stuck inside for so long and are loving coming out to eat and socialise.  We get great feedback too about the outdoor dining space, giving out holiday abroad vibes.”

Insider tip:  Book Cote Brasserie for date night and toast yourselves to a glass of fizz. Try the Minute Steak for main off the extensive menu which caters for all.

Insider tip: Five Guys milkshakes – say no more!  These handspun vanilla milkshakes come with or without whipped cream, with different flavour options to mix in.  Indulge in Worcester BID favourite Oreo Cookie Pieces!

Insider tip: Yo Sushi menu is not only tasty but it’s a healthy, fresh option at lunchtime.

Insider tip: Locals love All Bar One for cocktails.  Try their Pornstar Martini with the girls on a Friday night.

Worcester Business Improvement District is a business-led and business-funded body, working to improve and promote Worcester city centre as a place to live, work, visit and invest. As a democratically elected, independent body, Worcester BID enables more than 600 businesses to work collectively to influence and impact on how Worcester city centre is managed and develops. BID has been successful to secure its third term with the objectives to promote, support and enhance Worcester.

by BID Team

Staycation with Worcester – Support Your Local

As the Summer starts to transition to the Autumn months ahead, September can often treat us to an Indian Summer in terms of some sunshine and warm temperatures. It’s a beautiful time in Worcester city centre, all the more so with so much going on. This is a great time to plan a weekend visit to the city for friends and family, or to come and enjoy Worcester for those living elsewhere.

Worcester has a selection of hotels and b&b’s to get away and recharge. The city’s oldest pub The Cardinal’s Hat has some stylish Georgian rooms in the Tudor timber framed setting; the Whitehouse Hotel in Foregate Street has a gym whilst the rooms at The Diglis House Hotel and Browns at the Quay both have blissful views over the River Severn.

Nigel Smith is landlord at the Cardinal’s Hat: “We are pleased that since restrictions eased in April, bookings for the rooms at the Hat have been steadily at pretty much full occupancy. It's lovely to see visitors coming to the county from further afield as a result of Summer staycations and we are delighted to welcome them. Guests are interested in the history of the Cardinal’s Hat and also love the central location here in Friar Street which is steeped in history.”

And over at Browns at The Quay, bookings for their boutique rooms are also strong: “We are running at 95% occupancy mostly from staycation visitors,” says the general manager. “There are lots of lovely folk coming to see our stunning city and county. We are proud to have 9.3 rating on Booking.com, which we feel reflects positively on guest satisfaction when they stay here.”

Insider tip: If cricket’s your thing, The Premier Inn overlooks Worcester’s iconic New Road cricket ground.

Worcester Business Improvement District is a business-led and business-funded body, working to improve and promote Worcester city centre as a place to live, work, visit and invest. As a democratically elected, independent body, Worcester BID enables more than 600 businesses to work collectively to influence and impact on how Worcester city centre is managed and develops. BID has been successful to secure its third term with the objectives to promote, support and enhance Worcester.

by BID Team

Schools and community groups invited to join elephant parade

SCHOOLS and community groups are being invited to be part of Worcester’s second major public art trail in summer 2021, which will see colourful elephants parade through the city’s streets and open spaces.

Worcester’s Big Parade will bring around 60 decorated elephant sculptures to the city for eight weeks next summer, including approximately 30 calves which will have been created by local children, teachers and community group members.

by BID Team

Worcester BID: 'We're all trying to take care of each other'

Worcester BID says our bars and restaurants are doing all they can to keep visitors safe.

"The surge in independent bars, restaurants and cafes in Worcester city is what makes us stand out against the rest.

by BID Team