LIDL has confirmed it is set to build a new supermarket in Shoebury creating 40 new jobs.

The budget supermarket chain said it had exchanged contracts with developers to build a new store on the garrison estate off Campfield Road.

The supermarket is in addition to a planned new commercial area being built by Garrison Developments LLP.

Lidl said the new supermarket represents a multi-million pound investment in the area. The proposed supermarket will feature facilities including an in-store bakery, customer toilets and ample parking for both cars and bicycles.

Outline planning permission for a supermarket was granted when the garrison development was given the go ahead. A full planning application is expected to be submitted to Southend Council shortly.

Andrew Hodgkinson, Lidl UK’s regional head of property, said: “We are delighted to be opening a new store in Shoeburyness, which marks another milestone in our ambitious store expansion programme.

“We’ve seen incredible demand for Lidl stores across the country and look forward to offering our quality products and incredible value to shoppers in and around Shoeburyness.”

The supermarket will be one of 50 new stores to open across the country this year, in addition to Lidl’s current 730 stores.

Along with Aldi, Lidl has been a winner in the tough supermarket stakes as customers seek out bargains at the expense of premium stores like Waitrose.

Kantar Worldpanel results show Lidl has increased in sales year on year of 9.4 per cent.

Nevertheless, the new store will not be without competition. A Sainsbury’s local is within a stone’s throw and Nisa has moved into the nearby supermarket vacated by Morrison’s.

Trade could be given a boost however, with a multi-million housing development is set to submitted to Southend Council at the garrison site.

Garrison Developments has already built hundreds of homes on the garrison estate.

A planning application is being drawn up for the homes which will replace 172 homes previously approved, but which cannot be built because of fears over flooding.

The new design of flats and houses has living areas raised up from the ground to protect them from any future floods.