WORK is underway to attract big name brands to Southend to fill its growing number of empty shops.

The Echo can reveal 13 High Street units are currently empty, with a further two having closing down sales.

Thorntons, convenience store My Local and clothing shop MK One are among the most recent closures.

Department store BHS is expected to be next in line due to the national demise of the chain, following in the footsteps of Southend’s once-loved Woolworths and Keddies.

The town remains optimistic, with work going on in the background to fill shops and keep visitors coming.

Ann Holland, councillor responsible for culture, tourism and the economy in Southend, said: “Nobody likes to see empty shops but we have to keep positive. Compared to some cities, we don’t have that many empty shops.

“Obviously online shopping is a problem. I always like to shop in person myself, I like to actually try clothes on.

“Directors of the Business Improvement District and other agencies are working together to encourage new business and are keeping positive.

“We are investing in leisure and tourism and that will have a knock-on effect for the High Street. “We have to think of the big picture- bringing more visitors and business to Southend.”

Despite its appearance, Southend High Street is actually performing well compared to the national picture.

Figures from the British Retail Consortium show Southend High Street has a vacancy rate of 6.7 per cent- below the UK average of 9.6 per cent.

Alison Dewey, manager of the Business Improvement District, known as BID, said: “We were set up in 2013 to enhance the trading environment for our town centre and seafront.

“We work hard to make Southend a safer, more inviting place for visitors and businesses alike.

“Through a variety of projects and initiatives we raise the local and national profile of Southend and we will continue to do so.

“We want to push more economic capital into the town, in the shape of new businesses, property development and increased visitor numbers.”

Braintree and Witham Times:

'Big names on the way'

A SHOPPING centre boss has revealed big name deals are being plotted behind the scenes.

Dawn Jeakings, manager of the Royals in Southend town centre, said business was steady, and the future bright.

She said: “We have two empty units in the shopping centre but deals are currently being done to fill them. The market is bubbling under, it is not going mad but business is steady.

“There is a lot to entice people to the High Street now. We decorate it, there are hanging baskets for example, and we hold events including our Italian festival. There is a lot to attract people to the town.

“We also have BID and the street rangers who do a lot to help boost the area. “The summer weather has come just at the right time. The heatwave has helped business and brought more people in.”