TWO men charged with cultivating cannabis at a hidden city centre factory have been given a date for a plea hearing.

Denis Voka, 24 and Gjediku Kadri, 41, of no fixed abode, were charged with the cultivation of cannabis after police found a 500-plant cannabis farm at a former Poundland on Tuesday (June 6) in The Shambles. 

West Mercia Police has confirmed they are due back for a trial preparation and plea hearing on Monday, July 3 at Worcester Crown Court.

READ MORE: 'Large' cannabis farm found at former Poundland in The Shambles

The cannabis farm was in the upper section of the empty shop which has been cordoned off with police tape and had a police guard outside after the discovery was made.

Staff working near the former Poundland said they noticed a strong smell of cannabis in the mornings.

Shoppers also said they could smell the drug as they passed the old pound shop which has been empty since the shop closed in March 2020.

One business owner, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “When you get here in the mornings it used to smell so strongly of the stuff and I guess now we know why.”