COSTA Coffee is opening a shop in the Broadway, in Thorpe Bay.

The coffee shop chain, which has several outlets in the Southend area already, will replace Leigh Lighting, which have moved elsewhere.

Estate agents Dedman Gray, also based on the Broadway, have been tasked with finding Costa Coffee, which operates a franchise style-business, units in the south of the county.

It will create between eight to ten jobs, and open by the end of the year.

Gerrard Biagioni sealed the deal with the chain for the vacant shop at number 156.

He said: “It’s about time we had something like this in the Broadway, and I can’t think of anyone better than Costa.

“Thorpe Bay is a vibrant area and people who live in the area appreciate decent coffee.

“To have such a big name like Costa is very exciting, and I think it will be important for the road to increase the number of people who shop and drink here.”

The unit was snapped up as soon as it became available.

The new coffee shop will also feature a conservatory at the back.

It is understood it will recruit locally.

The chain is looking to expand the number of its south Essex outlets. It recently announced it is opeing a shop in Wickford high street.

There are four in the Southend borough – one in the High Street, one in the Royals Shopping Centre, one in Southend Hospital, and another in Leigh Broadway.