Morrisons has outlined plans to close its Braintree store.

The supermarket, in Rayne Road, is one of seven unprofitable branches earmarked for closure nationally as the company looks to make savings.

Staff and unions are now being consulted and a final decision will be made in March. It is thought up to 100 jobs are at risk, though the retailer hopes to redeploy staff where possible.

The announcement came as Morrisons revealed a 0.2% rise in like-for-like sales in the nine weeks up to January 3, excluding fuel.

A spokesman said: “We have looked at how we can improve the Braintree store’s long-term viability. Unfortunately we have not found a way to turn this store around.”