A CUT-PRICE household goods chain is to take over an empty shop near Southend Airport.

Unit 5 at the Airport Retail Park, off Rochford Road, Rochford, has been let to Home Bargains, which has 250 stores across the UK.

Rochford Council has given planning permission for part of the shop to be used for sale of food and drink goods – a staff canteen or customer cafe.

The retail park was built on land, which was once part of Southend Airport, after permission was given in 1996.

Pets at Home, Dreams, Carpet Right, Argos, Harveys, PC World, Staples and Sports Direct also have branches there.

Home Bargains’ nearest branch is in Basildon’s Westgate Retail Park.