ANOTHER discount shop is on the way to Worcester - with a 99p Stores set to open up at the city’s £75 million St Martin’s Quarter Complex.

The bargain retailer has struck a deal to take up two large units totalling 6,740 sq ft of floor space in between Ladbrokes and Costa Coffee.

Despite another shop being filled, it has led to fresh calls for the complex’s owners to aim for more high end retail at the development, which is off City Walls Road.

Twenty months after it opened to the public, 16 units are still empty, despite the existing traders all reporting booming business.

99p Stores will join ASDA, health chain Fit4Free, Ladbrokes, bargain store B&M and Costa Coffee in taking up residence.

ASDA’s success is providing a major boost to the other shops, and more retailers are being encouraged to rent a space amid the slow take-up.

Councillor Lynn Denham, who represents the area at Worcester City Council, said: “It is disappointing that the units have been slow to be taken up, and the original vision of it hasn’t exactly come to fruition.

“But on the other side Worcester has done significantly better than many other areas, and the fact another business is looking to take up space at St Martin’s Quarter is encouraging.”

Councillor Aubrey Tarbuck, who sat on the planning committee when the complex was first approved, said: "It's downmarket - to my mind this will lower the tone of the area.

"When we first gave permission there was talk of high end retail, and my concern was that this development might actually take trade away from the High Street - it's disappointing."

Carillion Richardson, the developers of St Martin’s Quarter, says it is confident as the economy picks up, the units will get filled.

Spokesman Selwyn Rowley said: “We’re delighted that the highly successful 99p Stores chain is coming to St Martin’s Quarter and this will be a substantial store occupying two retail units located in the area between Ladbrokes and Costa.

“The group has more than 200 stores nationwide and its proposition is extremely popular with bargain hungry customers.

“The 99p shops stock a wide range of goods from furniture polish to chocolate, and prices remain consistently low all year round, adding to the value for money mix of shops and leisure we have at St Martin’s Quarter.”

Mr Rowley added that “ongoing discussions” are taking place with a host of other retailers, as well as restaurants, over the rest of the site.

“The other positive thing is that the traders there already are doing really well,” he said.

A spokesman for 99p Stores said: "The items are all 99p or less - we've seen a surge in popularity  and the secret to our success is delivering best value on the high street."

It will open in time for Christmas.

Part of the reason behind the high footfall is parking at Asda, which is currently £1 for three hours.