ONE of the UK’s leading furniture retailers is preparing to move into an empty unit at a retail park off the A127.

Dunelm, which operations more than 170 stores across the UK, has stated on its website that a new store is “coming soon” to the Mayflower Retail Park in Basildon.

It is believed the retailer – offering an extensive range of bedding, curtains, furniture and beds – will open in unit 4B, previously occupied by Next.

The firm has been unable to provide any further details on the opening, but workers were seen inside the empty unit earlier this week.

It follows the announcement in December 2020 that Dunelm could open in the former Primark store in the Royals Shopping Centre, Southend.

Plans were lodged for new signage at the time, however plans have not progressed since, with the shopping centre still up for sale.

David Barnes, owner of Barnes IT Solutions and chair of the Basildon business group, insisted big names coming to south Essex will be a benefit for all businesses.

He said: “It’s a really positive move to get a driver of this type. It’s going to be a real benefit for the town in general and that will have a knock-on effect for smaller businesses. “In terms of a driver to the town it is good news but in a post-covid world the jury is still out.

“The conversations we’re having with other businesses is there is a challenge in employing staff. They want to work local and want to work more flexible hours.”

He added: “It would be something welcome because people do go to Dunelm and it will fill a hole but the bigger challenge is how you reimagine what the high street’s going to be.” There are also several jobs listed on employment website Indeed advertising new roles including sales assistant, a curtain and blinds installer as well as a stock and trade assistant.

Andrew Baggott, leader of Basildon Council, hailed the addition as a success story for the town’s economy, with Dunelm meaning there are no empty units at the retail park.

He said: “It builds on the momentum from when the Empire Cinema opens and it sends a positive message about what Basildon is about.

“It’s brings back energy to the town and of course we’ve effectively been in the doldrums for two years so it is a sign the green shoots are coming through and will pay dividends moving forward.”