THE re-developed petrol station in Upton will not be re-opening this week after incorrect pumps were bought.

The petrol station in Hanley Road was supposed to be opening on July 23, but on the evening of July 22, a spokesman for Warner's Budgens said it would not be opening after all.

They said: "We have got some bad news - one of our contractors ordered the wrong part for the Upton Service Station pumps.

"Unfortunately this means we cannot open as planned and have to delay out opening for a bit longer.

"So sorry, but we will get it open just as soon as we can."

The petrol station will be followed by the shop and gym once the existing buildings have been demolished.

The site will include a petrol station, shop and a gym on the upper floor of the building once the full work has been completed.

Mayor of Upton Cllr Henrietta Ross welcomed the news, saying it was a boost to the town.

READ MORE: Councillors approve plans for former Upton petrol station site

She said: “Upton upon Severn continues to be a vibrant and welcoming community with new retail businesses opening and adding to the opportunities to shop local for a wide range of items.

I’m very proud of all our local businesses, cafes, pubs and restaurants who have been working hard whilst they have not been able to open in recent months to provide delivery services, food takeaways or make improvements to their premises.

"The new 24 hour petrol station on Hanley Road will add to the services the town can offer and I welcome them to Upton upon Severn and wish them well."

Last month, councillors approved the plans for the site, which included the demolition of the former shop and replacing it with the new building.

Malvern Hills District Council’s (MHDC) planning department approved the plans earlier year, and the plan was enthusiastically backed by the district council’s economic development officers who said it would bring up to 50 new jobs to the area.

Simon Smith, economic development manager at MHDC, said: “The economic development team fully support this application.

“The site provides a rare opportunity to accommodate these proposals within the town.

READ MORE: Upton councillors recommend approval of petrol station plans

“The proposal will bring significant investment to the town, regenerate a prominent brownfield site, create up to 50 new full time equivalent jobs and bring new retail and leisure provision to the area supporting the local economy.”

During discussions on the plans, Upton town councillor Simon Yates said he was happy with the plan but felt there was more the applicants could do to improve the look of the site.

He said: “When we saw it originally it was a bit dull. Now it is less dull but there is more they can do to make it look less like a prison block.

“It is not very pretty for one of the main entrances to the town and I think there is more they can do. We said go away and make changes but these aren’t very big changes really.”

Chris Thorpe of Hanley Swan said: "Whilst I fully support the objectives of this application, I object strongly to the appearance of the building.

"The proposed plans appear to be based on the worst type of rectangular developments of the 60s and 70s.

"Its location means it may be the first thing that is seen entering Upton, a historic town, surely it can be made more attractive than a 1970s comprehensive school block."