SHOPS opposite York Road market will not be knocked down, according to a senior councillor.

Anna Waite, Southend councillor responsible for planning, said there was no intention of knocking the shops down, despite the demise of the market.

Martin Terry (Ind, Westborough) raised concerns at a council meeting the cabinet’s central area masterplan included proposals to knock down the shops.

The market was closed in October amid health and safety fears.

It has been recommended to demolish the market and replace it with hard surfacing.

Mr Terry said: “Are we putting the cart before the horse? It could be we come back in eight weeks and say we are going to knock down the rest of York Road. What exactly is happening to the rest of the shops in York Road?”

But Mrs Waite said the masterplan was just a guideline and may not happen.

She added: “I wouldn’t want anybody currently trading in the shops opposite York Road market to think their demise is imminent, because it is not.”

James Taylor, of Taylor and Sons jewellers, said he would like to see a street market developed for the road.

He added: “It would be inexpensive and it would un-clutter the High Street.”