A DIY giant today defended itself against criticism that moving its town centre store will cause job losses elsewhere.

B&Q wants to move from Southend's Queensway to an industrial site near Tesco at Prince Avenue. The site it leaves behind would then be developed.

However critics claim that if a home improvement store is allowed in Prince Avenue, up to 24 per cent of traders of Purdeys Way industrial estate could be adversely affected.

A B&Q spokesman said: "B&Q does not compete with smaller DIY/hardware retailers in the town centre because people go to the two types of stores for different purposes.

"Customers generally visit B&Q warehouses when they are shopping for large, heavy or bulky items or for a major DIY project because a large shopping trolley of products would be difficulty to carry on public transport.

"Conversely, smaller DIY/hardware stores are favourites for convenience or for smaller, lighter purchases while customers are already shopping in town."

The firm also insisted that its stores have less than one per cent adverse impact on town centres and said there was no evidence to suggest that any B&Q opening had a significant impact on job losses.

The spokesman added: "B&Q would be creating a job gain - allowing for existing jobs at the current store - of between 150 to 200 jobs, including skilled plumbers, electricians, carpenters, interior designers and horticulturists."

In response to complaints about increased traffic, B&Q said that its warehouses with huge ranges, offered a one-stop shop which actually cut down on the number of journeys needed to fulfil a DIY project.

The planning application allows for 520 car parking spaces at Prince Avenue but Southend Council has yet to make a decision whether to allow the move.

B&Q has stressed that if its planning application is not given the go-ahead, it will keep the Queensway store open.

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