TWO entrepreneurs have ploughed thousands of pounds into Southend’s ailing High Street by bringing empty shops back into use as part of a determined drive to get the city centre booming.

Leading Southend businessman Aras Ali is putting the finishing touches to a £1million conversion of the former Miss Selfridge store.

It has now been confirmed Go Gadget Outlet will take over one of the three new shops created in the former Miss Selfridge.

Fellow entrepreneur Mo Ahmed, 31 - who started out with a market stall - has now opened Missyone - specialising in all types of womenswear - in the old Brothers2Brother store.

Echo: New boutique - MissyoneNew boutique - Missyone (Image: Mo Ahmed)

Meanwhile, the new Go Gadget outlet in the old Miss Selfridge follows beauty clinic Spa Options, owned by 45-year-old Apoulina Andjou, which offers everything from massages to botox.

The renovation of the Miss Selfridge store, which has been closed since 2019, is being carried out by Mr Ali, who owns a series of barber shops across the borough, in a bid to revitalise the struggling High Street.

Mr Ali has hailed the arrival of new shops as a boon for the High Street and said the new additions would offer something that is ”totally unavailable”.

Mr Ali, who is also a director of Southend’s Business Improvement District, hopes his efforts will revitalise the High Street.

He said: “People will complain that we just want to fill these spaces quickly, but we would rather there be a shop in that unit, rather than an empty space like it was for years before.

“When it comes to summer, loads of people will be coming here so we need to make sure the High Street looks good.

“The BID is working very hard to bring it up to standard.”

Echo: Tech shop - Go GadgetTech shop - Go Gadget (Image: Aras Ali)

Go Gadget will be opening ahead of the summer.

Mr Ali said: “The man who is to take over is incredibly hard working, knows what he is doing and knows how to do it, although he has taken on what we consider our smallest unit.

“That space is suitable for small things, and it will come out really well, alongside Spa Options which will really be offering something that is totally unavailable on the High Street.”

Mr Ahmed has been running market stalls across part of south Essex and Kent for almost ten years.

He decided to take the plunge of opening a new shop after running a successful market stall in Southend for three years.

Mr Ahmed said: “It has been really good since opening. So many customers have recognised us from our markets in Southend and Pitsea.

“I am very happy it is going smoothly and has been busy so far. Our shop is a boutique, with market prices.

“There is something for everyone.

“We have listened to feedback and have introduced curve sizes, petite sizing, just a mixture of everything. Plus, we have continued to keep our prices low. We were apprehensive, but confident we already have good customers in Southend. So, it is exciting.”