A POPULAR discount store has announced it will fill a vacant supermarket and create more than 60 jobs.

Budget homeware store B&M will move into the old Morrisons’ site in Rayne Road, Braintree, just two months after it closed.

B&M – which already has stores in Colchester, Clacton, Southend, Brentwood, Harlow and Romford – will create more than 60 jobs at the site, which has previously been occupied by Somerfield, the Co-Op and B&Q.

The store is now undergoing refurbishment and will open its doors as B&M for the first time on June 8 at 9am.

Stuart Goodworth, the new store’s manager, said: “We’re feeling really positive about the creation of new jobs for local people and we hope that customers are going to be delighted with their new store.

“We are all really excited to get the doors open and welcome our new customers through the door.”

The store began advertising for staff to work in Braintree, despite not having a store in the town, last month.

Last week, a giant banner in the shop’s window confirmed the news.

Graham Butland, leader of Braintree Council, welcomed the announcement.

He said: “The store was never going to be big enough for Morrisons.

“We should welcome any new shop into the town centre and I am delighted it’s not going to remain empty.”

Braintree Town Team chairman Liz Storey said: “It’s great to see the shop was not empty for long and obviously it’s something that was recognised before, that we didn’t have enough homeware stores in Braintree.

“It’s something that will bring people into the town and people from Morrisons will have an opportunity to keep their jobs.

“Anything that means employment is welcome.”

Tom Cunningham, councillor responsible for economic develop- ment at Braintree Council, said: “Braintree town is a great place to do business because of its size and location so we welcome all businesses looking to set up here.

“I think it is important that we attract a variety of businesses to our town that give our residents employment opportunities and provide shops and services that our residents and visitors want as well as complimenting the stores we already have.”

He added: “I’m pleased that a new store moved in so quickly and we will continue to work hard to ensure the town is an attractive place to visit, shop and for retailers to open.”

B&M stocks toys, food and drink, homeware, pet products, health and beauty and seasonal ranges.

Morrisons workers have been invited to apply for vacancies, which can be found at jobs.bmstores.co.uk