TWO Billericay supermarkets are closed this week for major refurbishments.

Plans to close both the Cooperative and Waitrose have been labelled short-sighted by one trader in the town.

The Co-operative, in Stock Road, is closed until Thursday, while Waitrose, in High Street, closed yesterday until Friday for a £4million refurbishment.

Trevor Draper, owner of Billericay Cookshopandformer Chamber of Commerce chairman, said: “It is not conducive for people using the town.

“It’s bad timing. It will force customers who would use the town to go and spend elsewhere.”

The Co-operative is to be transformed following a £270,000 redesign, introducing more fresh and chilled food and luxury products.

It will haveanew in-store bakery and a new layout.

Store manager John Miles said: “Billericay residents are passionate about their food and our new-look Co-operative food store will certainly reflect this.”

A Waitrose spokesman said 15 new part-time jobs will be created as a result of the refurbishment. That will include more counters, checkouts and a new customer support desk.

He said: “In what is a challenging time, we are making the first major investment in our shop and car park since it openedin 1998 which webelieve may attract more shoppers.”