TWO branches of a Worcester High Street store could soon be moving to single premises in the city.

Plans to refurbish 65 High Street and 2A Bank Street into a new WH Smith store have finally been approved by Worcester City Council.

Members of the planning committee agreed to the proposals after they were deferred last month, for further consideration.

At the meeting, planners looked at altered proposals showing an entrance into the store from Bank Street and the repositioning of an in-store escalator.

"They have moved the escalator away from the window and instead allowed window display space," said Peter Yates, principal planning officer.

"This means that passers-by will not be faced with a view of the escalator.

"Instead of having a solid door onto Bank Street, there will be a fully-glazed top to bottom door.

"This will be open during normal trading hours, just like one of the branches currently has leading into Church Street.

"We've got two areas of compromise from what we saw last time. This also includes complete refurbishment of the outside of the building.

"One of the pleasant staircases in the building has been rescued and will be reused so that is another area of conservation."

The building was originally constructed as a bank with an impressive banking hall and decorative ceiling. This has recently been hidden from the ground floor by internal alterations to create separate units.

The committee heard that a compromise to display the ceiling could not be reached due to structural difficulties.

Councillors were satisfied with the alterations to the original plans and agreed to approve planning permission.