WORCESTER'S High Street is set for a welcome boost - with one popular store set for a major expansion and another empty shop set to be reopened.

Clothing store Joules has announced it will extend into the neighbouring shop, which was previously occupied by Trespass.

Work has already started on knocking through the two stores and expanding into the current store's stock room.

Joules, which is at 91 High Street, will be shut from Saturday, August 6 for the refurbishment with the new-look, bigger shop expected to be reopened on Thursday, September 8.

Sally Pate, the store's manager, said: "We are going larger, knocking into the stock room and into Trespass.

"It's doubling the square foot.

"We are closing a week on Saturday at 2pm and reopening on September 8.

"We are a B-grade store at the moment but we will hopefully be an A-grade which means we will have the full range and get all the loveliness.

"It is going to be awesome."

Just a few metres away, at 23 High Street, work has started on refitting what was Monsoon until the store closed at the beginning of last month.

The Worcester News understands Hotel Chocolat, a well-known luxury chocolate gift shop, will be moving in and has already been recruiting for staff.

Salmon Harvester, which owns Cathedral Square, was unable to confirm who is moving in or when they will arrive.

However, Matthew Meaden, of Salmon Harvester, said: "There is an encouraging number of exciting new retail and leisure opportunities looking to come into our city centre scheme now that the threat of an out-of-town development has been removed."

Adrian Field, Worcester BID, welcomed the boost to the top of the High Street.

He said: "It is very positive that after a turbulent few months with Brexit and the planning application for Worcester Woods Retail Park hanging over city centre businesses, there is still a strong appetite to invest and even expand in the city centre both from multiples and independents.

"There is a strong feeling that the top of the High Street has had to take one step back to go two forwards and the businesses in this area will fully reap the rewards when Cathedral Square opens next year."