Police are investigating the attempted armed robbery of a Southport convenience store this afternoon.

A man entered the Scarborough Street shop at around 4.30pm and threatened the male shop attendant with a knife, demanding money.

The store attendant was unable to open the cash drawer and the man fled empty handed when a customer approached the store.

He was last seen running towards Southport Parklands.

No one was physically injured during the incident.

The man is described as Caucasian, around 35-40 years of age, 175cm tall with a solid build. He was wearing a black baseball cap, a black t-shirt, light coloured three quarter length shorts, sneakers and a backpack.

Investigations are continuing.