Dozens of jobs could be created in Witham after it was revealed a trio of big name stores were considering a move to the town.

The three big-name stores - which have yet to be identified - are eyeing a possible move to the town's Grove Centre complex.

The news comes after a major initiative was launched earlier this year by the shopping centre in a bid to attract national retail giants to Witham.

Brochures and business packages promoting the town as an ideal shopping centre were sent to more than 40 nationwide chainstores.

Among those to be sent the dossiers were catalogue showroom Argos and clothing stores Next and New Look. The idea was to market not just the Grove Centre, but the rest of the town centre as well.

Grove Centre manager and former chairman of the town's chamber of commerce John Bastow said it is still too early to reveal the names of the multiple stores which have visited the town and are interested in coming here.

Phil Barlow, leader of Witham Town Council, and a district councillor said: "We, too, are very optimistic about the prospect of new shops coming to Witham.

"Anyone considering making what is a substantial investment in the town needs to know the way ahead and be able to narrow down the variables in making a decision, which is why, in our public opinion survey, we are aiming to get a feel of how people want the town to develop so we can have a focus for the next five to ten years."

A new manager has been appointed to the Grove Centre. Wendy Harlow, who formerly worked at the Eastgate Centre at Basildon, will be the first woman to take up the post. She arrives on Monday.

Mr Bastow leaves next week to take up a new post as manager of a Cornish shopping centre.

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