With a number of stores standing vacant in Southend High Street, Echo readers have revealed what they want to see in the town in years to come.

We asked you guys what shops you would like to see open on the high street in the future, and received over 100 responses filled with ideas of ways to breathe life back into the town.

Sharna Marie Alderman would like to see a business selling things that families can take up together - such as roller skates, ice skates, baking kits and outdoor activities.

While Liz Alsop would love a Pret a Manger and Flying Tiger.

She said: "I would love another department store - feel ever so sad to lose Debenhams.

"However, I’ve always thought this - they should extend the university, make student halls and convert the lovely shops at the top end and condense the high street towards the sea front."

Karen Allen added: "Nespresso, Flying Tiger, Foot Locker or Foot Asylum and maybe rescue Debenhams as that is a huge loss to the Town."

Read more:

Confirmed: Debenhams reveals the date it will close its Southend store

Charlotte Brown says Southend needs shops like Chelmsford, and has also called for more department stores.

She continued: "We shop there now as there is more choice and smaller independent shops... and maybe an IKEA.

"We need department stores again like Keddies, C&A, Woolworths etc. But no more fast food shops or mobile phone shops."

Valerie Strong, added: "There’s a wide range of good franchises that would be very welcome, but definitely no indoor markets."

Nick Knowles would like to see small independent shops like Leigh Broadway, while Danny Mcgill would like to see a Disney store.