PLANS to demolish a popular pet store which closed down suddenly and replace it with a new store have been approved.

Seapets in Tollgate Road, Stanway, shut down in September last year with bosses leaving a note left in the window says all animals had been rehomed.

But now the Tollgate Partnership - the business behind the plans for a new retail and leisure park which has recently been approved by the Secretary of State- have been given the green light to demolish the building and replace it with a new modern building which would be used as a shop.

There has been no indication of who the tenant could be at this stage but it is hoped the new store would create between 15 and 35 new jobs.

As well as replacing the shop completely, bosses also want to make improvements to the car park.