A SHOPPING centre revamp which opponents fear could drive away Droitwich shoppers during bad weather looks set to be given the go-ahead today.

Kandahar, the firm that owns Salters Shopping Centre, is likely to be given permission to build two new stores - the first stage of a redevelopment of the centre - when Wychavon District Council's development control committee meets on Thursday, January 13.

The two-storey units would house branches of Argos and Carphone Warehouse and would mean the removal of the concrete canopies that shield shoppers from rain.

It is just the beginning of a detailed redevelopment of the centre, which would see stores such as Pizza Express, Next, Holland and Barratt and Costa Coffee coming to the town.

The Evening News has received many phone calls from delighted residents since it first revealed the plans in November.

But others have objected to the proposals, with residents and businesses alike concerned that the potential loss of the canopies would result in a fall in business during bad weather.

It has also been claimed the loss of the centre's chequerboard square would be detrimental.

This does not fall within the planning remit, although Kandahar has already suggested replacing the concrete canopies with glass ones.

Councillors in the town have thrown their support behind the proposals.

"Anything we can do to improve the shopping centre, we should do," said Coun Peter Pinfield.

Planning officers at Wychavon District Council are recommending that councillors delegate approval of the plans to the head of planning, subject to the developers lowering the height of the building.