Southend High Street new business in former Miss Selfridge

Spa Options is the first confirmed business to takeover one of the three new shops created by businessman Aras Ali after her overhauled the empty building.

The business, owned by 45-year-old Apoulina Andjou, offers everything from massages to botox.

Ms Andjou already owns a smaller clinic in Sutton Road, which will remain open, but is looking forward to expanding to the prime spot in the High Street.

Mr Ali, who owns a series of barbers across the borough, has recently carried out a major transformation of the old Miss Selfridge, which has been closed since 2019, into three shops with nine flats above.

Apoulina Andjou outside the new Spa Options (Image: Apoulina Andjou)

Ms Andjou said: “I’ve been everywhere in this building, it and the flats above are amazing.

“It’s very lovely as a location and we are hoping we could see people travelling down from different locations in the summer to visit us.

“In the summer, most people want to look good for when the sun is out and for when they want to travel.”

Ms Andjou added that Spa Options will offer aesthetic treatments, including massage treatments and beauty services, tailoring treatments to their client’s needs.

She said: “We want to cater to people who know what they want, we cover Botox, and we cover lip fillers. The majority of our clients are adults between 35 and 65.

“I know this business will be massive, not only because of the footfall but because people will be coming down from neighbouring towns for what we have to offer.”

“Ideally, we will be open around May 1 as we finalise the council licensing, that takes a little while but we are just waiting with the dates for the inspections, then we will be up.

Landlord Mr Ali said: “I think this is a good choice, there is nothing quite like this on the high street and it is a really big space.

“I think that Apoulina will do very well there.”