Next and Costa Coffee to open near Southend Airport

Next will be taking over the former Oak Furniture Land shop, which has been empty since August 2020, at the Airport Retail Park, in Rochford Road, close to Southend Airport.

As part of the plans, a Costa Coffee cafe will also open inside the new shop.

Plans were given the green light by Rochford Council this month and have been welcomed as great news for the area.

Mike Steptoe, councillor responsible for Roche South ward, said: “This is exciting.

“It is always good to fill a vacant unit. It is a very popular retail park and is easily accessible as it is between Southend and Rochford.

“So, both Southend and Rochford will benefit from it.

“It is going to be good for the other business there too as it encourages more people to visit. A bit of competition is always a good thing.

“It is really positive news and something we welcome.

“It is good to see businesses growing, and they are both good businesses to have on offer.”

The Airport Retail Park consists of nine retail units, including businesses such as Pets at Home, Home Bargains, McDonalds, and Argos.

Several planning applications have been submitted for the plans, including “alterations to shopfront”, “new signage” and “insertion of mezzanine floorspace”.

There is already a drive-thru Costa Coffee nearby in Cherry Orchard Way, but, officers, believe this does not impact the addition of the site within Next.

The plans state: “Similar coffee shops are now provided in more than 60 Next stores across the country and have been introduced to improve the customer experience and extend the ‘dwell time’ of shoppers within the store.

“The coffee shop would not be partitioned off from the rest of the store. It would be likely to attract people who would not be intending to purchase goods in the store, though some might make impulse purchases going to and from the coffee shop.

“Costa has a certain ‘brand attraction’ and would be very likely to attract others.”