A MAGAZINE has released details of 11 stores Morrisons plans to close, but south Essex seems to be safe. 

Retail Week say it was passed this list of store closures planned by the supermarket chain. 

The 11 stores include several in the north of England as well as branches in Somerset but south Essex's flagship stores on Canvey and in Hadleigh are not mentioned. 

Pitsea councillors want answers about the planned new Morrisons store which has been built but not opened. 

Signs advertising the huge Morrisons superstore, which was meant to be the lynchpin of the £30million Pitsea regeneration project, appear to have been taken down.

More than 5,000 residents signed a petition in 2012 urging Basildon Council not to knock down Pitsea Swimming Pool to make way for the 75,000 sq ft superstore, which is meant to be built off Rectory Park Drive.

At the time, senior councillors admitted Morrisons was the dealmaker, and used the supermarket to justify controversial decisions, including demolishing the Railway Pub and downsizing the market.