HISTORIANS have hit out at controversial plans to demolish a town centre shop and replace it with a three storey department store. The North Somerset Times revealed

HISTORIANS have hit out at controversial plans to demolish a town centre shop and replace it with a three storey department store.The North Somerset Times revealed last week that plans had been submitted to demolish Worthingtons and replace it with a three-storey department store.The town centre shop was bought last year by retail giant Mackays Stores Ltd who want to turn it into an M and Co store.It is intended to sell a range of items from ladies clothing to household goods and open a small, second floor coffee shop.Singleton Architects, which has drawn up the plans, said the redevelopment would improve the existing street scene and provide a more open and bright shopping experience for customers.But the plans have been greeted with horror by local conservation chiefs who say they are not in keeping with the rest of the Victorian High Street.Gordano Society local history representative Sandy Tebbutt said: "Worthingtons has been a successful store in the town since the 1870s and as a society we are totally against any plans to demolish it."It is a very attractive Victorian building and what is being proposed would not fit in with the current street scene."We are currently trying to get the High Street designated as a Victorian High Street, but if developers are going to come along and tear lumps out of it, we do not stand a chance."There is a great deal of opposition to this plan from many people and organisations in the town."The society has now drawn up a list of objections to the plan and have distributed them to their 130 members, urging them to write to protest at the scheme.As well as the new store, 10 car parking spaces would be provided for shoppers at the rear of the building.The planning application will be discussed in full by Portishead Town councillors at the next planning committee in March.