A MAJOR health chain is set to open a store in the city centre.

Holland & Barrett has submitted a planning application to do internal works in the former Carphone Warehouse building on High Street.

The brand already has a store on Mealcheapen Street and is yet to confirm whether it is moving from the building to the High Street or if this will be its second Worcester store.

The application outlines how Holland & Barrett will renovate the Grade II listed building.

On the planning application, Holland & Barrett said: "The existing shopfront is to be retained and redecorated as it was felt that removing the existing and replacing with new would have a detrimental effect on the building and the conservation area as a whole.

"The internal works are minimal and generally relate to the fitting out of the property with new fixtures as well as upgrading the existing to bring it up to the standard of a more up-to-date Holland & Barrett Retail store.

"The only internal areas that are to be repainted are the existing walls that have already been painted.

"This is required as the existing paint was applied several years ago, and it is felt that a new coat of emulsion would help to improve the aesthetic of the interior."

Existing floor finishes will be removed under the transformation and will be replaced with a new vinyl floor finish.

Holland & Barrett said it would help the interior feel less tired and will also help prevent any potential trip hazards from forming on the existing damaged lino floor.  

An aisle and a counter will also be installed. 

Carphone Warehouse in Worcester closed for good in 2020, along with 529 across the UK.

Alex Baldock, group chief executive, said: "Customers are changing how they buy technology, and Dixons Carphone must change with them.

"This is by far the toughest decision we've had to make, it is necessary.

"We must follow our customers.

"They want help with all technology, all in one place, and this trend is only going to accelerate in a more connected 5G world.

"But they can't find all this in the small mobile-only stores that are one-twentieth of the size."