SHOPFITTERS uncovered a forgotten piece of Worcester’s history yesterday when they discovered a shop sign dating back more than 100 years.

The sign for High Class Pure Teas was discovered when workmen took down a sign from above the empty Oddbins off-licence in the Cornmarket, which is being transformed into a men’s clothing store.

Owner Grant Gibbs signed the lease for the shop, in the Cornmarket, on Friday and said shopfitters have spent the past four days in the shop.

The sign, which has now been covered back up for safe keeping, attracted a lot of interest from passers-by in the city yesterday.

Mr Gibbs said: “We took it off bit by bit. Lots of people stopped us in the street.

“One person came back with some old photographs of the shop dated 1900.

“We have had to cover it back up now because we had so many people thinking a new tea shop is opening, but it will be there for future generations.”

As previously reported, Oddbins went into administration in April after 20 years of trading.

Although some stores in the national chain were sold, the Worcester shop was not.

Mr Gibbs said the new clothes shop, Prophecy, will hopefully open on Thursday, October 13, if all goes to plan.

• Are you the owner of the old photos? Call Elizabeth Sweetman on 01905 742253 or email es@worcesternews.co.uk