A NEW discount store is to open its doors in Pitsea.

Poundland is set to replace the former Store Twenty One clothing shop at Pitsea Retail Park, off High Road.

A total of 27 new jobs have been created.

Keith Bobbin, Labour councillor for Pitsea North West, believes the chain will be a big hit. He said: “This will give residents a lot of choice as we already have a Lidl and Aldi, and will soon be getting a Morrisons.

“These pound shops are popular and it saves people having to drive into Basildon.

People in Pitsea love a bargain.

“It’s a shame to see Store Twenty One go. It was something different and gave Pitsea a bit of class. We need to make sure we have variety and don’t just keep getting cheap shops.

“At the moment a lot of businesses seem to be closing, so it’s good news the unit hasn’t been left empty and another big name is replacing it.”

The store will open to customers at 9am on Thursday.

Poundland is Europe’s biggest single price discount retailer, with more than 540 branches in Britain alone.

It stocks big-name food brands, as well as household essentials, health and beauty bargains and exclusive and seasonable ranges.

Richard Lancaster, trading director at Poundland, said: “We are delighted to bring our unique proposition to Pitsea.

“Poundland offers amazing value to more than five million customers every week.

The £1 price hasn’t changed since we opened our first store 24 years ago.”

Store Twenty One was officially opened by Callum Best, former model and son of footballing legend George Best, back in May 2008, replacing BeWise.

Pitsea is undergoing a £30million regeneration, which has seen a new Aldi store and revamped market open to be public.

Work is set to finish next year, with a huge Morrisons superstore on track to be completed by March.