A SPORT and fashion retailer will be closing its Basildon town centre store to open a huge “super shop” in Eastgate Shopping Centre.

Eastgate has just announced that specialist sports and fashion retailer JD will be opening their new major store before the end of this year.

The company has signed a new lease on a 7,691 sq ft unit which will see a large two-floor shop created from four units, two on the ground floor and two directly above on the mall’s first floor.

The new store is set to replace JD’s shop in Basilon Town Square, which the company have been wanting to relocate and improve for several months.

As part of the changes, children’s wear retailer Base is expanding into a larger unit on the ground floor opposite Debenhams.

Ian Clark, manager of the Eastgate Shopping Centre, said: “JD is always a big draw thanks to its wide appeal for shoppers looking for great sportswear and leading fashion.

“It’s great for Eastgate and our shoppers that such a major national retailer is creating what will be a super shop.

“We’ll be letting everyone know when JD will be open. First, Base will make its move to a bigger unit before work will start on creating the new two-floor store.

“We wish both retailers great success in their exciting futures at Eastgate.”

James Air, JD Group Acquisitions Manager, commented: “Moving into Eastgate was an easy decision for us to make given the proven strength and popularity of the scheme.

“Our premium new store will replace the Town Square shop which we have been looking to relocate and improve from for some time.

“We will continue to trade two stores in the town given how loyal our customer base is, with the new Eastgate store complementing the existing Westgate Park scheme.”

The company has not stated when the store in Town Square will close, or if any new jobs will be created with the new store.