FASHION giant H&M is quitting Basildon’s Eastgate Centre, it has been revealed.

The Eastgate store in Basildon town centre will shut on August 6, the chain has announced.

This follows the closure of a number of other major shops in Basildon town centre including Marks and Spencer, Debenhams, BHS and TopShop.

A spokesman for H&M says they have been able to redeploy the majority of the Basildon workforce to nearby stores.

Laindon resident, Pat Rackley, said stores leaving town will be a problem for those who don’t drive.

She said: “It’s a massive unit and I am a bit speechless really.

“Debenhams going was bad and now we’ve got another big store going as well. We’ve also lost M&S, BHS and Topshop.

“The problem is not everyone shops online or has a car to get to Lakeside or Bluewater so I don’t know what these people are supposed to do.

“I don’t know what’s going to close down next. Debenhams closing has had an impact and now H&M will only magnify that.”

Andrew Baggott, Tory leader of Basildon Council, hopes the large unit will not be empty for too long.

He said: “It’s disappointing and this is a big unit in the shopping centre but I under - stand the pressure retail is un - der with trying to compete with online shopping.

“I do question how short term these decisions are when we have organisations looking to come to the town with the new cinema development in the town centre.

“I think retail outlets must be reinventing themselves and when a business restructures like this it is troublesome for staff “There are still lots of people who want to shop in physical stores and I still think there’s a role for retail.”

A spokesman for H&M said: “H&M Basildon will close on August 6.

“At H&M we continuously review our store portfolio, the decision to close this particular store was part of the long-term strategy to ensure we are offer - ing our customers the best pos - sible shopping experience in the right locations.

“Customers can continue to shop for quality fashion at the best price at our nearby Lake - side Shopping Centre store or online at hm.com.

“Our colleagues are incred - ibly important to us, which is why we’re pleased to have been able to redeploy the majority of the team at H&M Basildon to our nearby stores.”