Ross Appleby, who works at the Firefly Beerhaus in Lowesmoor, said he was shocked that a shop on Silver Street was forced to close following the incident as he felt there is rarely any trouble in Worcester.
At one point, Firefly staff were considering evacuating as a ‘weird smell’ was circulating around the area, but after a discussion with police, they were told they were fine to continue trading.
No one was seriously injured by the substance with Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service confirming it was not harmful.
West Mercia Police has moved to reassure people this is believed to be an isolated incident and not linked to the anti-racism protest that took place on Saturday (August 10) in Worcester city centre.
Fire crews were sent to help police at around 7.30pm last night after reports a substance had been sprayed into the shop.
The shop in question has since re-opened.
Mr Appleby told the Worcester News: “Emergency services were there for quite a while.
“There was definitely a weird smell, I don’t know whether that was related or not.
“At one stage we were considering moving people out of the garden and inside, and we asked police whether we should evacuate, but we were told it was fine to stay open.
“It was quite a surprise as we don’t normally have any bother in Worcester.”
An investigation has now been launched by West Mercia Police.
Many of the shops nearby were unaware of the incident, although one owner said it was unusual as nothing of this kind usually happens around Lowesmoor.
However, a statement released earlier by Insp Ed Shotton said: “We understand police activity in the city centre will be alarming for people, but I’d like to reassure you these measures were a precaution as we carried out enquiries.
“I would also like to reassure the public that this incident is not being treated as linked to events that took place on Saturday in Worcester, and we believe it to be an isolated incident.”