THE first step has been taken to transform the city centre's former HMV shop into a pound shop.

Bright red Pound Shop signs now adorn the front of the shop on Worcester's High Street.

The windows have decals saying 'Any item £1 - £2' but they are still blocked out with rolls of Christmas wrapping paper hiding the changes going on inside the store.

HMV Worcester closed its doors for good in 2019.

Worcester News:

The shop is being opened by Kal Singh who owns five Pound Shops in Andover and Doncaster.

Previously Mr Singh told Worcester News: "We decided to open one here in Worcester as the city fits within our search criteria, low unemployment, high student population and is a fair distance away from major cities.

"We feel pound shops have strayed away from what they once were. In our shop every single item will be priced at £1, £1.50 or £2."

Five people have been employed to work at the shop which is scheduled to open later this month.

The shop will sell food and drink as well as essential items from hardware to pet food.

HMV has been owned by music mogul Doug Putman, after it crashed into administration for the second time in five years in December 2018.

Mr Putman, who runs the Canadian retailer Sunrise Records, closed 15 stores after taking control of the business and, in December 2019, it was announced that Worcester was to be another.