A SHOP owner has warned a new supermarket convenience store on Brentwood High Street would 'kill' her business and damage the area.
Supermarket chain Morrisons purchased 49 Blockbuster stores last month sparking fears among some traders of a new Morrison's M store opening in the film rental chain's current high street shop.
Mrs DiptiGondhia, 52, has owned a Nisa convenience store two doors away with her husband and one other business partner for the past eight years.
She said: "It will kill us. Because we're just trying to make a living out of this shop and if things like that come it means we are gone – vanished.
"My husband can't sleep because you can't compete with them as people will just go there for the name.
"We have a lot of regulars but you have to question how much you can depend on them."
The current Blockbuster is expected to close its doors by March 26 with eight staff being made redundant.
A member of staff told the Gazette the shop had not been told whether Morrison's planned to open on the site.
Any new Morrison's store would need to apply to Brentwood Council for planning permission to change the use of the shop and further approval to sell alcohol.
Mrs Gondhia said that she had contacted the council who confirmed no planning application had been made for the store.
She urged them to help protect existing high street businesses: "We have been paying our rates and rent and now this might totally ruin us."
Blockbuster is currently in administration with Deloitte who are believed to be considering other bids for the remaining 479 UK stores.
Several other national chains are thought to be considering purchasing the remaining outlets.
A spokesperson from Morrisons said: "We are unable to disclose the locations of new stores at the moment."