SIGNS have today (Tuesday, November 9) gone up at Starbucks in Stroud as work continues to turn the former poundland building into a coffee shop. 

A spokesperson for the company said in August: "We look forward to bringing the Starbucks Experience to customers in Stroud in the near future and will be in touch once we have more specific plans to share”.

Starbucks have so far not confirmed when the new store is planned to open.

A planning application to put up signage was submitted by Dransfield Properties - owners of the Five Valleys Shopping Centre - in the summer. 

Originally the developers had intended that the King Street unit would be a pharmacy however they said that no pharmacy in the town centre had been willing to relocate.

Stroud News and Journal: The new Starbucks sign in the former Poundland building on King Street The new Starbucks sign in the former Poundland building on King Street (Image: Newsquest)

READ MORE: Thousands sign petition against Starbucks coming to Stroud

READ MORE: Developer confirms Starbucks is coming to Stroud

The new coffee shop will be next to the new medical centre which is planned to open this year. 

Previously developers said despite Starbucks being an international coffee chain the Stroud coffee shop would be operated by a UK based franchise. 

A petition to stop the multinational chain Starbucks opening at the Five Valleys Shopping Centre has been signed by over 3,500 people since being launched in the summer. 

Among those who have signed it are former Stroud District Council leader Doina Cornell, Labour candidate Simon Opher and Green candidate Pete Kennedy.

Stroud News and Journal: A first look at what Stroud Starbucks could look like, drawings by Frank BelshawA first look at what Stroud Starbucks could look like, drawings by Frank Belshaw

The petition reads: "Do we want Starbucks to join Costa and Coffee #1 in gradually deteriorating the independent spirit that has drawn people to Stroud for generations?

Mark Dransfield managing director previously said: “I have invested with a number of independent businesses to help them achieve their goals. 

“As a family business we will always support local traders but no town can exist without a mixture of national and local businesses.”

Meanwhile amid the backlash over the new Starbucks a festival for independent coffee traders took place two weeks ago with independent businesses joining forces including Rough Hands Coffee, Woodruffs and Long Table. 

You can view the petition on Stroud Against Starbucks here.