The news comes after Southend Council announced a competition to give six-month free rent to six shops in the Victoria Shopping Centre and bosses at the Royals Shopping Centre partner with consultancy firm Lunson Mitchenall to fill empty shops.
Now, traders are hoping revitalised shopping centres at each end of the High Street will bring a huge boost and countless benefits.
Zee Ghani, owner of Fone Clinic, said: “The High Street is like a ghost town now, there are people coming not for shopping, but for mulling around.
“Energy prices and the winter fuel payments being scrapped has hurt everyone, it has absolutely affected shops.
“Businesses are suffering because there are not many big brands in and around the High Street.
“I think big brands like B&M will help footfall on the High Street. Southend used to be one of the busiest in the country.”
Big name shops included Debenhams, H&M and Miss Selfridge have all left in recent years.
Trevor Day, who has traded from the High Street market for 13 years, is remaining hopeful despite tough times.
He said: “Over the years, the high street has developed into betting shops and barber shops. In the summer, thousands go past and then go back without stopping
“You do get footfall, outside of summer though, it’s tough. We’ve got Primark, and that’s about it.
“It will help if the shopping centres are thriving, it will likely be an improvement.”
Martin Giettmanski, 49, owns The Remedy Tea Shop which has operated on the High Street for 11 years, and believes successful shopping centre are key.
He said: “When Debenhams was at the Royals, it was busy. Now that it has collapsed, so has footfall.”