Our Price record shop in Southend is closing down, it was revealed today (Tuesday).

However, the site in the High Street will not be converted into a high-tech Virgin internet store, unlike other stores across the county.

Customers at Our Price have been warned by staff about the imminent closure.

Chelmsford and Brentwood branches of the Our Price chain, which is owned by Virgin, have already been converted or will be changed soon into the high-tech stores dubbed V Shops.

However, an Our Price spokeswoman confirmed the Southend branch would be closing and said nothing about it being turned into the new concept shop.

She said: "Like any other major national retailer, Our Price is constantly evaluating all our sites.

"We have marketed our site in Southend and the store will be closing. We have endeavoured to find alternative employment for the Our Price Southend staff."

Signs at the store state it will be closing this Saturday

The old Our Price store in Chelmsford High Street was re-opened last week as a V Shop which is a new concept in internet shopping for Virgin products.

Customers can either pick goods off the shelf or order items through internet kiosks dotted around the store.

The spokeswoman said staff would be on hand to guide shoppers through the internet kiosks so they could get the very most from them.

She added: "Even the less technical among us will be able to enjoy virtual access to a range of Virgin's on-line businesses through touch-screen, in-store kiosks including Virgin Wines, Virgin Cars, Virgin Travel, Virgin Students and Virgin Net.

"You can also order from an extended software and hardware range and items will then be delivered to your door.

"If you don't have a credit card, you can pay at the customer service desk with cheque or cash."

The move is part of a relaunch of 100 stores across the country.

The Our Price shop store in Brentwood will be opened this Thursday as a V Shop.

By Charlie Mellor

Reporter's e-mail: charlie.mellor@notes.newsquest.co.uk

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.