ALCESTER shoppers will be without a convenience store for more than a month as Tesco Express comes to town.

The supermarket giant is taking over from the One Stop shop in Hopkins Precinct but won't open until 8am on January 5 - after five weeks conversion work.

The One Stop shop shuts its doors on Saturday but Tesco management staff say when the Express store opens, customers will benefit from increased ranges.

Tesco has also taken on staff from the One Stop store and in the coming weeks will recruit additional staff to work at the new store.

A Tesco Express spokesperson said: "We have recognised the need for quality, convenient shopping outlets and Alcester is one of the areas that will benefit from Tesco's latest investment programme.

"Tesco has listened to customer requests for smaller outlets that provide the same quality brands and service conveniently located on their own doorsteps."

The new store will offer more than 2,000 product lines with extensive fresh and chilled ranges, including a bakery, fruit and vegetables and ready meals along with frozen food, tinned products, cereals and pasta and sauces.

Shoppers at the store will also have access to a non-chargeable cash point and a National Lottery terminal.

Doors of the Tesco Express in Kinwarton Road will be open from 6am-11pm seven days a week.