A NEW sign has gone up for Poundland ahead of the official opening tomorrow.

The bargain chain said it will open its new High Street store on Saturday with staff busy filling shelves inside the unit.

In a moment that will be bittersweet for some, the Poundland signs are now up at the former Wilko in the High Street in Worcester.

Poundland owner Pepco agreed to buy up to 71 Wilko stores following the collapse of the chain last month, and now Worcester will be among 10 UK stores that will open this weekend.

Worcester News: FUTURE: Tills being installed at Poundland in Worcester High Street FUTURE: Tills being installed at Poundland in Worcester High Street (Image: Newsquest)

Preparations are already being made for Poundland to return to Worcester after lorries were seen making deliveries on Tuesday.

READ MORE: Poundland reveals opening date for former Worcester Wilko

READ MORE: Poundland offers jobs to more than 200 ex-Wilko staff as stores reopen

Poundland in The Shambles closed in March 2020 while the city's second store in Broad Street remains closed as building work continues to make the structure safe.

The store's layout appears to have changed with tills being installed on the right-hand side of the unit at the front.

Workers were also seen stocking shelves with various items and crates of products were down the store's aisle, ready to be put on the shelves.

Poundland said the store will have an extensive grocery range, household and general merchandise. 

Over the last three weeks, Poundland has prioritised former Wilko colleagues for roles in their new stores. 

An orange barrier has been put in front of the door to stop members of the public from entering. 

Ten Poundland stores, which were formally Wilko, officially opened for the first time last weekend.

Poundland's managing director Austin Cooke said: "Our people make Poundland special, and last week they did an amazing job to turn ex-Wilko stores into brand new Poundlands in just six days – the size and scale of what they've achieved has been nothing short of phenomenal.

"But they worked hard because we meant what we said about moving quickly to create jobs for Wilko colleagues."