A MOTORBIKE showroom is due to open at the site of a closed restaurant.

Detroit’s, in Castle Street, Worcester, is being transformed into a Ducati dealership.

The £1million showroom is expected to open at the end of April, after construction workers have completed a 10-week refurbishment project.

Chris Booth, the owner of Ducati Manchester Group, said he is excited about opening a dealership in Worcester.

He added: “Worcester is the gateway to some of the best biking roads in the UK.

“We can’t wait to welcome the local biking community to the store and provide a service that is second to none in the area.”

Simon Ashcroft, operations director for Construxon, which is refitting the building, said: “We are doing a full floor-to-ceiling refurb.

“We are looking forward to opening something nice and shiny and renewing a building with lots of potential.”

Up to 10 jobs are set to be created at the new dealership, which will be Ducati Manchester Group’s fourth showroom in the UK.

Mr Booth is renting the property from the Grieveson family, who own Worcester Carsales Limited.

Detroit’s, which overlooks Worcester Racecourse, closed in May 2016, after the restaurant decided not to renew its lease.

The Pinches family, who run a number of establishments in the city, planned to reopen the property as a restaurant, however the project did not go ahead, despite receiving planning permission from the council.

Allah Ditta, city councillor for the area, said: “It’s much better that it’s going to be open.

“It looks derelict at the moment. I think it will help from a vandalism point of view and get rid of an eyesore."

Cllr Ditta added that it was a car showroom before it was a restaurant, although the dealership closed around 10 years ago. 

Detroit's opened in 2011.