A CONVENIENCE store chain with branches across south Essex has gone into administration

The Board of My Local confirmed yesterday it had entered into administration.

There are 120 My Local stores across the country, including branches Shoebury, Southend, Leigh, Canvey and Benfleet.

The company said since it was acquired from Morrisons in September 2015, My Local had faced intense competition in "the toughest market for convenience stores for 20 years" and it had not been able to return the business to profit.

Employees in stores which are sold will transfer to the new owners and Morrisons has confirmed that, where no buyer is found and stores close, it will welcome former employees back to a job at Morrisons. In addition, the company said: "Several national retailers and supermarket chains are committed to considering our colleagues for any available roles."

Stores began selling off stock at the weekend, including in Shoebury where the last customers to walk through the doors picked up some bargains.

David Burch, director of policy at Essex Chamber of Trade said the news was a blow to the local economy but no surprising.

He said: "It's obviously very disappointing. They just hit the market at the wrong time. There has been massive growth in corner shops and all the big supermarkets, Sainsburys, Tesco and Waitrose have gone into that market and its probably now over-saturated.

"The retail trade is very competitive. Tesco went from holding the biggest share in retail to slumping right down but it's cyclical.

"It's unfortunate for everyone involved in this business. Hopefully somebody will come through who can taken them over."

Mike Greene, chief executive of My Local, said: “I would like to thank our employees, who have worked tirelessly since the launch to create a new, independent competitor in the convenience store market. It was never going to be easy. When we took over, the network was heavily loss-making and some stores had closed.

"We will continue to support the administrators in their efforts to safeguard as many jobs as possible.”

KPMG has been appointed as the administrator and will seek to achieve the best outcome for the business and employees.