Next will be shutting and leaving Basildon's Eastgate Shopping Centre, bosses at the chain have confirmed.

It comes after it was announced H&M will also be leaving the store.

A spokesman for Next said the store will be closing but declined to comment on anything further.

The confirmation of the two major store closures comes after shoppers reported staff at both shops told them the outlets would be closing.

Bosses at H&M have told the Echo the store in the shopping centre will be shutting on on August 6 and said most of staff will be redistributed to other outlets.

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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 offering our customers the best possible 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.”

Next has been contacted for further comment.