HALF a dozen jobs could be created as a discount store expands.

DiscountUK, in Southend High Street, will close on Wednesday ahead of its reopening as Bargain Buys at 10am on Friday.

The eleventh Bargain Buys to open in the UK, the new store will feature an expanded range of products over 25 departments and will take on more workers.

Manager Caroline Beadell said: “We will be taking on some new staff when everything’s gone up because we’re getting new products with the new set-up.

“We will be looking at probably another half a dozen staff, but it depends how well the new set up takes off.”

The new brand has been designed to rival chains Home and Bargains and B&M Bargains and will stock groceries, home living products, toys, cleaning products, electricals and pet supplies with leading household brands such as Cadbury, Loreal, Fairy and Gillette.

Both DiscountUK and Bargain Buys are owned by Poundworld, which has 240 stores in the UK.

DiscountUK opened in Southend about two years ago after moving into empty high street units.