HOPES are high that the former Woolworths store in Lowestoft could soon reopen now that builders have started work on the store.Scaffolding was put up on the front of the shop, on London Road North, this week and builders have been working there, but it is still not known which companies are interested in the property.

HOPES are high that the former Woolworths store in Lowestoft could soon reopen now that builders have started work on the store.

Scaffolding was put up on the front of the shop, on London Road North, this week and builders have been working there, but it is still not known which companies are interested in the property.

The Woolworths shop, which had been in the town centre for 59 years, closed in January this year after the company went into administration.

A new planning application has been submitted to Waveney District Council seeking permission to turn the alleyway between the shop and the neighbouring travel agents into part of the retail space, increasing the shop floor to 52 square metres and to make space for a disabled staff toilet on the ground floor.

In January, permission was granted to turn the huge shop and the QS fashion shop next door, which comes under the same lease, into four smaller retail units.

The QS shop has been displaying posters advertising a clearance sale for the last few weeks.

The work on the shop has been contracted by London-based chartered surveyors Ratcliffes, but a spokesman for the company was unable to comment on the plans.