ON first impression you’d think the shopkeeper has simply locked up and nipped out for a spot of lunch.

The shelves are still stacked with sweets, crisps, fizzy drinks and water – as though a flood of customers is expected any minute.

The only clues that things are not as they seem are the deflated beachballs on a shelf in the window.

In fact, Max 99p store in Woolston, Southampton, has not opened its doors for at least eight months.

Now traders are calling for this empty shop – in one of the city’s high streets – to be filled.

They want someone to purchase the site in the hope it will bring more trade to the area.

Andy Grace, who owns the nearby independent men’s clothes shop Wearabouts, said: “I think it was May when it shut, but the rent sign has only gone up in the last week.

“The doors just shut one Saturday, and they never opened back up.

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“I think chain stores are something people recognise, and the last thing we want is an empty shop.

“Any business taking over is better than an empty shop.”

Laura Collins, owner of Woolston Pet Shop, told the Echo: “It attracted a lot of people to Woolston, and it’s a shame as lots of shops are shutting. so business-wise it’s not great, but it needs to be turned into something else.

“I would like to see another pound shop there.”

A letting sign in the window is from estate agents Goadsby.

A spokesperson for Goadsby said: “We are marketing it a lot, and sent it out to lots of supermarket stores, but there’s no demand for it.

“It’s too small for these big chains really, only being 3,000 square feet.

“If a chain operator comes along that would be great, but I can’t see it happening.”

Southampton city councillor for the Woolston ward, Warwick Payne, told the Echo: “I have spoken to the environmental health team to ensure there is no problems such as food expiry dates, as I have heard rumours of milk still in one of the fridges.

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“The team have been in to check and they did not find anything.

“I’m concerned by the number of empty stores in Woolston, and I have been speaking with traders and the council to see what could be done to provide extra support to the area.

“It would make sense for something like Poundland to go in there.

“It’s the right size for them.

“The size of the building makes me feel it would suit a bigger branch, which will attract more people, and help the businesses in the area.”

Max 99p have been approached for a comment but have yet to respond.