PITSEA’S new multimillion-pound Morrisons supermarket could be split into several shops – because the firm is having second thoughts about opening such a big store.

Basildon Council insists a legally- binding agreement with regeneration company London and Cambridge Properties obliges Morrisons to go ahead with its 75,000 sq ft store plan.

However, it concedes the agreement wouldn’t stop the company leasing part of the building to other traders.

The news came as Labour councillors called for the ruling Tory group to apologise for levelling popular local landmarks to make way for a supermarket which might not be built.

Pitsea Swimming Pool and the Railway pub, in the High Road, were both demolished as part of the £30million project to regenerate Pitsea’s rundown centre.

The Echo reported last month Morrisons was reviewing its “store requirements” – sparking fears for the future of Morrisons superstore, which supposed to replace an Aldi store, off Rectory Park Drive.

Vange councillor Byron Taylor, deputy Labour group leader, told councillors at a recent meeting: “Pitsea is going to be left with a town centre in chaos. “The Conservatives have let the residents of Pitsea down, and frankly, I’m outraged.

“They have lost a swimming pool, been left with a sub-standard market and faced years of disruption, only to be told the supermarket may no longer be viable.”

Tory council leader Phil Turner refused to apologise, insisting the store would go ahead and be occupied.

Building work is due to be completed next month, allowing a three months for the store to be fitted out.

Mr Turner said: “Pitsea is looking better now than it ever has done, and it's because of the positive work of this administration.

“We’ve had some difficult decisions to make, but I would defy anyone to look at Pitsea and say it’s in chaos.

"We would prefer Morrisons to take over that facility, but if two different businesses move in there instead, that’s not a bad thing. A couple of new stores might work better for Pitsea.”

Richard Moore, councillor responsible for regeneration, backed him, saying: “The redevelopment of this part of Pitsea is a private scheme by London and Cambridge Properties, but there is a watertight contract between them and Morrisons.

“I’m not going to apologise for anything. At this stage, there is no indication Morrisons is not opening a store in Pitsea.”

Nationally, Morrisons is through to be focusing on open more M Local convenience stores, similar to the one in the former Barge pub, in Vange High Road.

Store was crucial to redevelopment

THE regeneration of Pitsea has been 15 years in the making Basildon Council finally gave the scheme the green light in 2012 and it has met with mixed reactions.

It meant Pitsea lost its swimming pool and the landmark Railway pub, with Pitsea market moving on to the pub site – and cutting the number of stalls to 89.

A new Aldi supermarket, off Northlands Pavement, was then built on the former market site.

All these moves were made to accommodate a new Morrisons store. Council leaders have often claimed the Morrisons deal was the key to the whole regeneration – something used to justify unpopular changes, including the loss of the swimming pool.

An important aim of the regeneration is to attract new businesses to Pitsea and make it attractive to shoppers from outside the area.

However, in the short term, local traders have complained disruption caused by demolition and building work has driven many customers away.