A HEREFORDSHIRE woman has hit out at MandM Direct's plans to move its head office to the Old Market Shopping Centre.

Hayley Thomas, of Church Street in Leominster, said the old Debenhams shop should be turned into "anything but more offices".

She suggested that smaller units with individual shop, an activity centre for children, large cafe or clothing store might be better.

The online fashion retailer, which currently has its head office in Leominster and warehouse in Moreton-on-Lugg, wants to take over the upper floors of the shop in the shopping centre.

Herefordshire Council has already agreed to plans for 119 parking spaces to be given to staff to park for free on weekdays, but still needs to approve changes to the building.

Those changes include a new entrance and windows to the shop, which Debenhams left empty after going into administration.

But in an objection to the plans submitted by centre owner British Land, Ms Thomas said: "I thought the idea of the new market was to be a retail hub in Hereford, not office space?

"The fact this is going to cause more excessive traffic on a busy route into Hereford.

"As well as filling up parking space that's already limited seems a waste.

"We want people to come to Hereford as hub of activity, for shopping and days out."

She added: "But not offices, anything but more offices!"