A major redevelopment project is finally getting underway as part of plans to "reverse the decline" of a Nottinghamshire market town's high street. The Priory Centre in Worksop is set to undergo a £20million transformation, with demolition work now beginning after months of delays.

The shopping centre, which has suffered from empty units in recent years, will be turned into a revamped site featuring a food court, indoor adventure play area, bowling alley and an indoor market. Bassetlaw District Council says the redevelopment will give Worksop a modern retail and leisure destination by 2027. The authority had originally expected partial demolition to begin early in 2025, but the project was pushed back due to issues including a budget gap.

The council has now confirmed that contractors are in place and work to strip out internal sections of the building started this month. From March 2, parts of the structure will then be safely removed.

The Priory Centre sits on land once occupied by Netherholme House, which was demolished in the 1960s to make way for the Netherholme Shopping Precinct, the centre's predecessor.

Bassetlaw District Council purchased the site in 2023, with most of the redevelopment funding coming from the previous government's Levelling Up Fund.

Much of the current shopping centre will remain, but the section fronting Bridge Place will be demolished and replaced by a new leisure complex.

This will include outdoor public space with water fountains. The existing glass canopy is also being removed, along with the two-storey car park at the rear of the site. That area could later be used for the construction of 44 homes.

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Visitors to Worksop started to see visible changes from February 9 as safety hoardings were set up around parts of the Priory Centre and sections of the car park.

These hoardings are protecting shoppers, businesses and motorists as demolition and construction work takes place.

Despite the disruption, the council says the Priory Centre will remain open throughout the redevelopment.

Pedestrians will also continue to be able to walk through the building, connecting the car park with Bridge Place and Ryton Street.

Councillor Steve Scotthorne, Cabinet Member for Identity, Planning and Place, said: "Visitors to Worksop town centre will really start to see the progress that is being made on the Priory Centre.

"Everyone connected with this project has been working extremely hard behind the scenes, and we are now approaching the most visible part of this exciting project."

He added: "We would like to reassure visitors that shops will remain open as normal and encourage people to continue to use the town centre.

"We will also be offering free support to town centre businesses over the coming months so that we can help them through this transition."

Preparation work has already been underway for months, including new bases for electricity substations at the rear of the car park.

Other utility companies, including National Grid, Cadent, BT and Severn Trent Water, have also been completing essential work ahead of demolition.

Andy Boam, Senior Contracts Manager for GF Tomlinson Building Ltd, said: "It is a great privilege to be involved in the redevelopment of the Priory Centre.

"We have been working closely with the council for over a year to prepare for this exciting project, and we look forward to transforming this area of Worksop."

Large parts of the car park will be unavailable during the redevelopment, though more than 100 spaces will remain open in the multi-storey car park, with additional parking nearby.