Top Shop is closing in Southend High Street because the building its in is part of a 12-storey hotel plan.

This “landlord redevelopment” is understood to be the reason why Top Shop and Topman will leave the town, on Saturday, June 16.

But JD Sports, also in the same building, confirmed it has “no plans” on closing its branch.

An application to Southend Council proposes to build a further three storeys on top of the ten-storey building in Elmer Approach.

The proposed hotel will comprise of 108 guest rooms.

No parking is proposed to be made available at the site, however, a 140 cycle store will be designated on the ground floor of the development.

The building was being used for multiple purposes as a nightclub, gym and seven floors of offices, but is mostly empty.

The design and access statement, said: “Prior approval has been granted for the change of use of offices to residential to comprise 140-self-contained units for the seven floors.

“The proposed additional three floors will not cause the building to be any higher than the Maitland House property in the nearby area.”

The building is based opposite to the University of Essex campus in Southend town centre as well as overlooking the High Street.

JD Sports and Top Shop Topman are both situated directly beneath the proposed build.

Top Shop Topman Southend confirmed on Monday that as a result of a landlord development, the store will cease trading.

However, JD Sports have confirmed that its doors are set to remain open for the foreseeable future.

A spokesman for MHP Communications, who represent JD Sports, said: “I can confirm that JD Sports have no plans to exit this store in Southend.”

In recent years, the town centre has seen a number of major developments arrive including the University Square and The Forum.

The applicant for the new hotel added that the development intends to “bring back” the building which has become an “eyesore” in the town.

The design and access statement, added: “The property is currently an eyesore within the townscape and dampens the outlook from the adjacent student campus and surrounding buildings.

“Our intention is to bring back a disused building into use and improve its position within the town centre.”

News of the closure of Top Shop was greeted with resignation by fellow retailers who raised concerned about the reduced footfall in High Street as a result.

A spokesman for the store confirmed they do not have another site planned in the town with the nearest soon to be in Basildon.