A NEW mini-supermarket is coming to Southend High Street as part of a major investment in the area by Morrisons.

The supermarket chain has announced plans for a new convenience M Local shop in the former Currys store in the town centre.

They are already bringing a similar shop to London Road in Leigh.

Both are set to be open at the end of January, creating 40 jobs.

Hayley Wilson, manager of the Southend store, said: “We’re really excited to be bringing a Morrisons M Local to Southend and pleased to be creating 20 new jobs for local people.”

Workmen are fitting out the former Currys store, between Thomas Cook and Ann Summers, ready for the opening.

The new Morrisons in Leigh will replace the former bathroom, bedroom and kitchen shop County Interiors, in London Road.

Both units have been disused for some time and business leaders welcomed them coming back into use, especially as shoe shop Barratts closed on Tuesday and DVD rental chain Blockbuster, which has a branch in London Road, Westcliff, went into administration for the second time last week.

Morrisons opened a M Local store at a former Blockbusters in Rayleigh High Street at the end of September.

Dawn Jeakings, chairman of Southend Business Improvement District, left, said: “It’s fantastic news for the High Street. It helps with employment on the back of Barratts closing down.”

John Lamb, Southend councillor responsible for regeneration, added: “It’s good to see Morrisons expanding in Southend, especially in the High Street.”