SAINSBURY’S wants to open a new store in a former car accessories shop in Westcliff.

Supermarket bosses have applied to transform the former Kenlee Karstores in Hamlet Court Road into a convenience store.

The chain is keen to sell alcohol there and regularly provide late night refreshment, indicating the store could have a rotisserie or bakery section.

A spokesman for Southend Council said: “It has already got permission as a retail unit.”

The site has four parking spaces at the back, which can be accessed from Ditton Court Road. It is not yet known whether these would be available for customer use.

Hamlet Court Road already has a Co-op and Tesco, yet business owners have welcomed the application.

Ben Belkaid, who has run his clothing alterations business for 25 years, explained: “I think this is the best thing that could happen to Hamlet Court Road. We need something like this. It will bring more business to the bottom half of the road.

“Everything happens at the top end. I will definitely be supporting this.”

In April, plans to turn the former shop into a gym, with a dance studio, were refused by Southend Council’s planning team.

It was feared it would harm the retail function of the road, which is classed as a primary shopping centre and protected as such under planning policy.

Representations about the application can be made to Southend Council until Thursday, July 14.