An empty unit in a popular south Essex shopping centre has been filled as a new shop is opening soon.

Fashion giant H&M quit Basildon’s Eastgate shopping centre in August 2021.

This followed the closure of a number of other major shops in the town centre including Marks and Spencer, Debenhams, BHS and Topshop.

The unit was used as a Christmas pop-up shop during the festive period, but had yet to find a permanent store.

Echo: A poster has gone up for the new shop outside the unitA poster has gone up for the new shop outside the unit (Image: Darren Macey)

Now, Lifestyle and Mobility, which has been in Market Square for almost 21 years, is set to move into the former H&M unit in the centre.

The business is a mobility company based in Essex, Hertfordshire and London which stocks hundreds of mobility aids and products.

The planned open day for the new shop is March 1, the Echo understands.

Announcing the closure in 2021, a spokesman for H&M said: “At H&M we continuously review our store portfolio, the decision to close this particular store was part of the long-term strategy to ensure we are offering our customers the best possible shopping experience in the right locations.

“Customers can continue to shop for quality fashion at the best price at our nearby Lakeside Shopping Centre store or online at hm.com.”