A NEW indoor axe throwing venue could soon be opening in the city.

The yet-to-be-named venue would open in a vacant unit in Worcester’s Victorian Arches in Netherton Court next to the Arch Rivals micropub and would include eight lanes across two floors to give visitors the chance to throw axes into a wooden target.

Daniel Charlton, who runs outdoor activity centre Action Adventures in Cradley in Herefordshire, said he was looking to expand and saw the soon-to-be-refurbished Arches as the perfect place to grow his business.

In his application he said: “Indoor urban axe throwing is a growing social sport within the UK. It originated in America and is now hugely popular worldwide with competitive leagues and World Championships.

“I currently own an outdoor activity centre in Cradley which offers quad trekking, archery, air rifle, laser clay, crossbows and axe throwing.

“I have been operating for nearly five years and I am looking at expanding my business with an indoor axe throwing venue.”

Mr Charlton said each lane would be covered by a safety cage to protect the building and other visitors, strict rules would be in place and all axe-throwing but be supervised.

“Safety is paramount and my safety record at my outdoor venue is 100 per cent,” he said.

“Participants that are not throwing will be at a safe distance to ensure no harm can come to them. There will be people supervising at all times and CCTV installed.

“Just like my outdoor venue, there will be strict rules in place to ensure the safety of everyone.”

The plan to create a new cultural quarter through the £4.5 million refurbishment of the city's Victorian railway arches moved forward earlier with the submission of a planning application by KKE Architects on behalf of the University of Worcester.

If approved by the council's planning committee, six railway arches located between Worcester Foregate Street and the Hive would be converted into studios and offices for local artists and creative businesses.

KKE’s designs also include a proposal to create a ‘performance’ Arch where a variety of musicians, actors and artists could stage informal performances and exhibitions.

A number of arches in the same vicinity have already been successfully converted and are now home to thriving small businesses including the Method Roastery, the Burger Shop and the Arch Rivals pub.