A PROMINENT shop next to the sundial in Plymouth city centre is to become a massive Poundworld, it has emerged.
The former Topshop and Topman shop on the corner of New George Street and Armada Way looks set to become the discount store's first city outlet.
The pound shop firm has 270 stores nationwide and is one of the fastest-growing retailers in the UK.
Topshop moved out of the high street to Drake Circus Shopping Centre when the mall opened in 2006.
The building was being marketed for £4.1million in 2011, by which time it had become a Madhouse store.
According to sales documents the unit had previously been let to retail giant the Arcadia Group - which owns Topshop - and Starbucks, which has a coffee shop next door.
Poundworld Retail has now applied to Plymouth City Council for permission to make shop front alterations and put up illuminated adverts.
One resident has already written to planning chiefs to object to the plans, which are out to consultation until November 10.
They said: " Another pound style shop is certainly not the style of retailer needed at such a prestige part of town that attracts a lot of visitors, tourists.
"What really is needed there is a good chain clothes store, or much much better still a good chain restaurant/bar.
"Bringing people into the city shopping centre should be a priority like many other cities.
"It needs to be more alive there at night. You cannot say there wouldn't be a market for it. A market doesn't exist until you lead the way and create it."
Poundworld began as a market stall in the West Yorkshire town of Wakefield in the 1970s.
Much like Plymouth billionaire Chris Dawson's The Range chain, it has enjoyed massive growth in recent years.
Poundworld now has more than 270 stores nation wide and employs around 6,000 people.
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