A NEW Pound Shop set to open in the city this month has not yet been able to due to 'supply issues'.

Kal Singh said he was opening the Pound Shop in The High Street on September 18 - but this has had to be pushed back to Friday October 8.

The business owner said the recent fuel shortages, lorry driver shortages and Brexit have all had an affect on the business opening.

He said: "Brexit/Covid problems are real!

"Some of our products shipping costs have quadrupled. Recent fuel shortages have meant some suppliers have not been prepared to ship to us due to concerns that lorry drivers are unable to re-fuel.

"Thankfully we have found some solutions to these problems and we are firmly working towards a Friday October 8 opening date."

Mr Singh, who already owns five Pound Shops in Andover and Doncaster added: "We decided to open one here in Worcester as the city fits within our search criteria, low unemployment, high student population and is a fair distance away from major cities."

Mr Singh says he has employed five people to work at the new shop.

He added: "We feel pound shops have strayed away from what they once were. In our shop every single item will be priced at £1, £1.50 or £2.

"We will not focus on food and drink as most pound shops tend to do, but provide everyday essential items from hardware to pet food at the lowest prices on the high street."

The unit now owned by Mr Singh has been empty for almost three years after music chain HMV closed in 2019.