A BUDGET chain hopes to bring more than 40 jobs to Basildon town centre by taking over the former BHS store.

B&M - which markets itself as a variety retailer - has put in an application with Basildon Council to convert the former BHS shop, in Town Square.

B&M, which already has stores at the Airport Retail Park, Southend, Lakeside, in Thurrock, and Parkway, Chelmsford, sells a range of low-cost goods.

Department store BHS closed last year when the nationwide chain went bust. Although the planning application for its replacement has been submitted by Standard Life Assurance, sketches of the proposed new signs show they are for B&M.

Planning documents reveal that nine full time staff and 36 part time staff will be hired. The shop will be open between 8.30am and 6pm Monday to Saturday, and from 10am until 4pm on Sundays and bank holidays.

Andrew Buxton, Labour councillor for St Martin’s ward, welcomed the new addition to the town centre.

He said: “It is good to have a new shop opening in the town centre, and if it is going to create more jobs that can only be a positive thing.

“There is one in Lakeside which people say is very popular.

“The closing of British Home Stores was a major loss, so with the building being opened that will be good.

“It is a large building so while it was empty the area did look rather sad.

“It is good that they have chosen a town centre location and not one of the out-of-town shopping centres.”

Basildon Council has already granted permission for the shopfront to be changed to get rid of the cafe entrance and provide a modern glass facade.

As the building was previously used as a shop, no change of use permission is needed.

There had been plans turn the three floors above the building - known as Northgate House - into 165 flats.

The Echo revealed that the flats would be tiny, with each one around 256 sq ft - half the UK average for a one bedroom apartment, which, according to the Royal Institute of British Architects, is 495 sq ft.

However, the council refused the application as officers felt the lack of parking would lead to an overspill of cars into nearby roads. They also thought noise impact from adjoining commercial premises had not been properly taken into account.

Northgate House LLP had planned to appeal the decision, but withdrew it earlier this year. It will now develop the top floors into 87 flats, for which it had previously been granted permission.

Nobody from B&M was available for comment when contacted by the Echo.