One of Gloucester's best-known retail sites is to become one of the biggest furniture reuse superstores in the UK.

The former Argos store in Eastgate Street is being taken over by the county's longest running reuse charity, the Furniture Recycling Project (FRP).

Staff and volunteers are working round the clock to transform the prominent art deco building in Gloucester city centre ready for opening early in April.

Argos left the building last year and created a new digital store at Sainsbury's Gloucester Quays supermarket.

This followed Sainsbury's acquisition of Argos owners Home Retail Group.

Furniture Recycling Project operations manager Dereck Eley said: "The move is fantastic news for customers, staff and volunteers. It's important for all of us at FRP that we are at the heart of Gloucester communities, diverting tonnes of household items from landfill and enabling people to furnish their homes.

"Taking-on the former Argos building is a great opportunity for FRP and for the communities we are proud to be a part of."

Last week the owners of nearby King's Walk shopping centre announced major investment plans.The Heart FM footbridge bridge in Eastgate Street will be removed, public realm and public spaces created and the entire area given an uplift to make it more attractive and inviting.

At the heart of the scheme the owners of King's Walk Shopping Centre, Reef Estates Ltd will sub divide the former BHS store to provide a class A1 retail unit over ground and first floor along with a new class A1/A3 cafe unit at ground floor and associated outdoor seating area.

The entrances to King's Walk will be transformed and the atrium will get a major facelift. Work on the £12 million scheme will start soon.

While Punchline welcomes the new use of the prominent former Argos store site, we believe it is essential that the standard of window displays reflect the importance of this key retail area and the major stores nearby.

What do you think? Email mark@moosemarketingandpr.co.uk