THREE SPORTS shops in south Essex could be under threat of closure.
The JJB Sports chain has announced the closure of 72 outlets across the country, with a loss of 800 jobs.
Chief executive Chris Ronnie said: "They are being closed because they are not profitable, and are a huge drain on the business."
The company has stores in Southend High Street, in Southernhay, Basildon, and at Lakeside in Thurrock.
Richard Farnsworth, a spokesman for the company, said: "I'm afraid we can't disclose where they are going to be. The company is in consultation with it's staff. All I can tell is that there will be closures.
"A number of closures will be at the smaller high street stores where there are larger JJB superstores nearby. These are the combined superstores with retail and health clubs together."
There are no JJB fitness clubs in East Anglia, which could be cause to hope the stores will be saved.
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