JOHN Lewis has unveiled its plans for a £7 million Worcester store - revealing the city has been a "long sought-after destination" for the massive retailer.

The upmarket chain has announced details of its plans for the city, revealing:

- The store will be split over two floors in a brand new build totalling 40,000 square foot of floor space

- It will employ 100 people and include a cafe and all the 'at home' range of goods including furniture, home technology, electrical items and furnishing accessories

- To allow people to buy items from johnlewis.com shoppers will be able to use a raft of 'online ordering points' dotted around the store

As your Worcester News has previously reported, the store wants to open an outlet on a £150 million retail park Land Securities is seeking to build off Newtown Road.

An exhibition is being staged at The Hive on Friday and Saturday to get views on the proposal, set for acres of green fields known as Worcester Woods.

Andy Street, John Lewis managing director, said: "Worcester has long been a sought after destination for us - I'm delighted we have now found an opportunity to bring John Lewis to the city.

"We believe the opening of a John Lewis at home in Worcester will offer customers in the local area a broader, modern, more convenient shopping offer.

We look forward to becoming part of the local community and hope to add to the city’s growing success."

If it gets the go-ahead, the Worcester store will become the 11th John Lewis At Home in the country.

In recent months it had eyed up other sites in the city, including the Trinity House building owned by Worcestershire County Council, but opted to hedge its bets on the Newtown Road proposal.

Nick Duffield, portfolio director for Land Securities, said: "This is good news for Worcester.

"Bringing John Lewis to our proposed Worcester Woods development will make Worcester an even better destination for shoppers."

Next is also looking to open up a store on the site, which will span 240,000 sq ft in total and is being dubbed a 'mini Cribbs Causeway' by experts.

Land Securities says it will employ 1,000 people if Worcester City Council accepts the planning application due to be submitted later this year.

Friday's Hive public consultation runs from noon until 7pm, while on Saturday it will be manned from 10am-3pm.

People not able to attend the sessions who still want to offer views or find out more are asked to call 0800 458 6976.