Alworth's, which opened its first store in Didcot, Oxfordshire, in November, is almost a carbon copy of its legendary predecessor and will sell similar lines — including the famous pick 'n' mix sweeties.

The company is headed by former Woolworths head of stores and concessions Andy Latham, whose eventual aim is to open 50 stores throughout the UK.

The Cupar outlet is one of the first in Scotland.

Mr Latham runs Alworth's from Redhill, Surrey, along with a team of fellow ex-Woolworths employees.

He even wanted to call the new chain Woolworths, but was prevented from doing so because the rights to use the name were bought by Shop Direct, who relaunched it online.

The Crossgate store lay empty for around six months after Woolworths closed amid emotional scenes in January last year following an association with the town stretching back for more than half-a-century.

It was taken over by Pound-Mart last August but just eight months later the bargain retailer shut up shop in favour of opening larger premises in Dundee.

This week a spokesman for Alworth's confirmed that shopfitters were currently working in the store but said that an official announcement about its opening would be made within the next couple of weeks.