A BUILDERS merchant has taken over an old wedding shop in Stourport with plans to open a DIY store.

The new Thompson and Parkes shop will open in Minster Road later this year, selling a range of gardening tools and accessories, as well as building, timber, landscaping and plumbing products and a Dulux paint mixing and colour match service.

General manager Gary Watts said: "We’re delighted to be opening a new retail shop and business venture in Stourport specifically aimed at the DIY market.

“As a local business we work with the DIY enthusiast, sole traders and SMEs through to large corporates and we’re keen that we continue to recruit from, and invest in, the communities in which we operate.”

Thompson and Parkes has been trading in Worcestershire since 1937, and the new Stourport shop will complement existing branches in Kidderminster and Oreton.

Bosses hope to create 20 new jobs in the town within the shop's first year, and recruitment is already under way for six positions.

Company director Jean Morris added: “We’re thrilled to be opening our first retail shop in Stourport and look forward to welcoming new team members as we grow and expand.

“We have a fantastic and experienced team who have helped make the business the success it is today, and we’ll be extremely excited when we finally see Stourport’s doors open.”