Retail giant Littlewoods is injecting £1 million into its Southend store, in a bid to create the shop of the future.

Company bosses hope the revamp will create the complete shopping experience, where customers can get everything they want under one roof in a relaxed, comfortable environment. It could also create new jobs.

The investment comes as a major boost to the Royals shopping centre, which contains the Littlewoods store, at a time when its food court is being cleared to make way for a major new TK Maxx designer clothes store.

Royals spokesman David Mott said: "This is another welcome development that will add to the attractions the centre offers to shoppers."

Work is due to start on the revamp this month and will involve the store closing for a short period, probably in August, before it reopens at the end of September, for the busy Christmas shopping season.

A large proportion of the £1 million being ploughed into the store - part of £31.5 million being invested in 24 stores nationwide - will go on improving its appearance.

Similar facelifts have been successfully tried at the firm's Newport, Southport, Oxford and Belfast branches from April last year.

Company spokesman Deirdre Maguire said soft lighting, warm interior colours and attractive woods such as beech and

American cherry will be used to create a relaxed atmosphere.

She added: "The look will be very modern and very bright."

The interior of the store will also be redesigned to provide more space and an uncluttered feel.

A host will greet shoppers at the door and more trained staff will give advice on outfits and colours.

Ms Maguire said: "We are recognising that people now expect high standards of service.

"Maybe they have not been given this in the past, so we want to make sure that anyone coming into the new store is treated just right. "

A wider range of products will also be available, with the Index Extra scheme introduced to allow shoppers to order big-brand and designer names at home shopping prices through an in-store catalogue.

Such catalogue products would then be delivered direct to cusotmers' homes or to the store for collection.

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