A NEW discount shop in set to open in the former Poundland in Southend High Street – diving opinion among residents.

Poundstretcher has confirmed it will open in a new shop at 113 High Street on April 9 to take over a shop that has been empty for more than six years.

Although residents have welcomed an empty shop being filled, concerns have been raised that “another budget shop” will not attract people to the high street or benefit shoppers.

Since Poundland closed its High Street shop, it has opened new stores in both the Royals Shopping Centre and the Victoria Shopping Centre.

Carmel O’Callaghan, 50, from Southend, said: “The unit has been empty for a long time now so it will be great to see it being used again.

“Poundstretcher will be an excellent addition to the High Street and will create much needed jobs for the city.”

Poundstretcher is a national chain selling homewares, from kitchen goods to bedding, at discounted prices.

Nechelle Walker, 46, from Southend, added: “I think we have enough pound stores in the area.

“It just cheapening the High Street even more. I think we should put something like Dunelm in as we have lost BHS and Debenhams, so have nothing like it now. Abbie Anne Smith, 33, from Southend, said: “I think there are definitely better options for that building with there already being two Poundlands in the city already.

“I have been in Southend for five years now and the High Street could do with a lot better shops.

“I just don’t think Poundstretcher is a good choice in my opinion, I would rather see something like Dunelm, which I believe was an option at one point.”

Poundstretcher already has a store in Greyhound Shopping Park, in Southend but bosses have confirmed the new store is an additional site, and the Greyhound Poundstretcher will remain open as normal.

A spokesman for Poundstretcher said: “This store opening is a part of the series of new store openings across the UK by the Poundstretcher group.”