SUPERMARKET giant Morrisons was last night accused of keeping secret a bombshell decision to close its supermarket in Bradford city centre.

Council leader David Green said the authority had been given no warning of the Bradford-based company's plan to axe the prime site store which was given a reprieve only six years ago.

The company announced the closure of Westgate and six other stores yesterday - despite posting better than expected Christmas trading figures.

But Cllr Green said the authority had not been consulted or given any warning of Morrisons’ plans which he described as "extremely disappointing" and admitted the closure of the supermarket, which has operated there since 1969, would be a "short-term economic blow" to the city.

Morrisons’ ownership of the Westgate site had also acted as a brake on the council’s desire to redevelop that part of the city centre, he said.

Cllr Green said: "We are now in the process of contacting Morrisons to find out exactly what is intended for the store."

Val Summerscales, secretary of the Bradford Chamber of Trade, warned the closure would harm trading at the adjoining council-run Oastler Centre market.

She said: "Where it is located in a residential area many people treat it like a corner shop, and its a key part of encouraging footfall in the top corner of town.

"The closure will have an adverse affect on the Oastler Centre which is disappointing."

Gunther Giangregorio, who has run a delicatessen in the Oastler Centre for 28 years, also warned the closure of Morrisons would be a massive problem for stallholders.

He said: "It's a devastating blow at this time, it's the heart of Morrisons, where it was born and will be a massive loss for the market and for Bradford."

Councillor Simon Cooke, leader of the Council's Conservative group, said the news was "very disappointing" and it would be a loss to the city.

"I would urge them to reconsider, although I understand they have to make difficult business decisions.

"If it’s not viable, it’s not viable."

Cllr Cooke also urged the company to speak to the council about its plans so the future use of the site can be considered in good time.

"We now need to have a conversation about the top of town, to draw up a timetable to minimise any negative impact."

Liberal Democrats group leader Jeanette Sunderland said: "I am disappointed in the decision; the store has been open a long time, so closure would be a shame.

"Maybe they should re-think, it’s important to keep that part of town viable; the council has to do all it can to stop Bradford becoming a city of two halves."

Morrisons said the store closures could result in the loss of more than 80 jobs.

Its chief executive David Potts said the latest closures affected stores of about 15,000 sq ft - about half the size of most of Morrisons supermarkets - where there was little prospect of reviving sales.

And talking specifically about the Westgate store, a Morrisons spokesman said : "Many people know that we considered closing the store before but instead decided to carry on trading which is in part down to the hard work of our colleagues, but despite their dedication we have not seen the response from customers needed to secure the store’s future.

"This is not the outcome we wanted but we have to make difficult decisions to give the business the best chance of success."

Joanne McGuinness, national officer of shopworkers union Usdaw, said it was entering into consultation meetings on behalf of its members.

"This is devastating news for the staff in the stores that Morrisons intends to close," she said.

"Our priority is to maximise employment within Morrisons, seek redeployment opportunities if a shop is closed and minimise compulsory redundancies.

"We will support, advise and represent our members throughout this difficult period of uncertainty."

Morrisons has so far closed 21 supermarkets as part of a cost-slashing process against a period of falling profits but Mr Potts said the latest seven closures would be the last in the programme.