Basildon's M&S store could close as the supermarket chain announced it is launching a consultation on the future of the town centre store.

There are currently 91 people employed at the store.

The proposed closure is part of M&S’s programme to modernise its UK store estate to better meet the changing needs of customers.

Sacha Berendji, director of retail at Marks & Spencer, said: “We’re committed to transforming M&S for our customers, colleagues and shareholders.

"Stores will always be an integral part of our customer experience, alongside M&S.com, but we have to ensure we have the right offer in the right locations.

“We don’t want any colleagues to leave M&S and we will work with each colleague individually on what is best for them as we endeavour to give everyone a role. However, we accept in some cases we may have to consider redundancy.

“We believe these changes are vital for the future of M&S and we will continue to accelerate the programme, taking tough but necessary decisions, as we focus on making M&S special.”

Hilary Wilkinson, Head of Region for Essex, said: “Proposing to close the Basildon store has been a difficult but necessary decision. Over the coming weeks we’ll be talking to each colleague individually about what is right for them and we’ll update customers and the community as soon as we can.”

Including Basildon, M&S has today proposed eight stores for closure and announced that a further six will close by the end of April.

Nearby stores to M&S Basildon include:

• Mayflower Retail Park Foodhall (4 miles)

• Brentwood (9 miles) selling Clothing and Food

• Rayleigh Foodhall (10 miles)

• Canvey Island Foodhall (10 miles - due to open later in 2018)

• Thurrock (12 miles) selling Clothing and Food

• Southend (16 miles) selling Clothing and Food