A NEW Lidl supermarket will open in Canvey offering 46 jobs after the council leader agreed to sell some of his land.

Norman Smith, Tory leader at Castle Point Council has exchanged contracts on land off Northwick Road, Canvey to the supermarket chain.

Mr Smith said: “I own about two acres of land and run my businesses UK Shelving there.

“The supermarket still has to go through the planning permission procedure.

“If the new store goes ahead, then I will relocate UK Shelving to the new business park in Roscommon Way, Canvey.

“If the plans do not go ahead then I will be redeveloping the site with new factories.”

A spokesman for Lidl said: “We can confirm that we’ve exchanged contracts with Norman Smith, securing a new site located off Northwich Road in Canvey Island.

“We’re due to submit our planning application towards the end of this month.”

Mr Smith said he feels the site is a good location for the supermarket and he believes it will be welcomed by islanders.

Canvey councillors have already welcomed the new store plans and employment opportunities for the area.

Town mayor Barry Campagna, who is also Canvey Independent councillor for Canvey South, said: “A lot of people leave the island to shop at Lidl supermarkets so it will save them the journey.

“I think that a lot of people will support this.

“If it is built at the industrial estate then people won’t have to drive all through the town centre to get to it.

“I have no objection to this going ahead. We don’t have many major employers on the island so it will be good to have one built here.

“If people want it then I say why not build on here.”

Jay Blissett, Tory councillor for Canvey West also welcomed the new supermarket to Canvey.

She said: “I think it would give people a bit more choice when thinking about where to shop, and I think that’s a good thing.

“I think people on Canvey like to shop at Lidl so it will be welcomed by residents.”