CANVEY’S former Woolworths store is set to reopen as a bargain hunters’ paradise – and create 30 new jobs on the island.

National chain, the 99p Store, sells a range of household goods, food and gardening products, and is holding a grand opening at the shop in Furtherwick Road, next Tuesday.

The company is running a competition to find a Canvey resident to take part in a 90-second trolley dash, as well as cut the opening ribbon with a giant pair of scissors.

Hussein Lalani, co-founder and commercial director of the company, which has 80 stores nationwide, said: “We selected Canvey because first of all, the ex-Woolworths was a good site. We knew Canvey was a good centre, and the Woolworths was always very busy.

“Plus, from what we understand, they are real bargain-hunters in this part of the country.”

The chain has opened up in ten former Woolworths shops since the much-loved household store collapsed at the end of last year. The 99p Store has its eye on 20 more, some believed to be in Essex.

But former Canvey trader David Bass, who was forced to close his card and gift shop, Select, in the Knightswick Centre, after 20 years due to poor trading conditions, has misgivings about the new store’s opening.

He said: “There are at least three market shops selling a similar range of goods to the 99p Store.

“It is inevitable their sales will be hit, and I would not be surprised if one of them closes as a result.”

Dave Blackwell, leader of the Canvey Island Independent Party, also expressed concerns about the long-term impact of the shop.

He said: “I am sure a lot of people will welcome it at first, particularly in the current economic climate, but in the long term, I would be worried about the impact it might have on other traders.”

To enter the competition, write in just nine words why you love a bargain, and e-mail your sentence to canvey@gbpublicityltd.com by midnight on Friday.