MORRISONS has confirmed its city centre store will close its doors for the final time in April.

The Telegraph & Argus revealed in January that the Bradford firm's store on Westgate was earmarked and, following a six-week consultation period, Morrisons has now confirmed it will shut on Sunday, April 3.

A company spokesman said the closure decision had been "extremely difficult" and a trader at the Oastler Shopping Centre said the news was devastating.

The store on Westgate opened in 1969 and survived the threat of closure in 2006, when a 4,000 signature petition was submitted to save it. A petition was started to save the branch this time, but it only reached 261 signatures.

"Following a consultation process with colleagues, we regret to say that we are closing our Westgate store," a Morrisons spokesman said.

"This process has been extremely difficult and we have looked at a whole range of options to make the store viable but none gave us confidence that we could run it successfully.

"Our aim is to reduce any job losses, where possible, by finding roles elsewhere in our organisation."

In January, Morrisons' chief executive David Potts said keeping the store open was not financially viable, and the closure would result in the loss of more than 80 jobs.

Traders at the Oastler centre are trying to remain positive.

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Gunther Giangregorio, who has run a delicatessen in the market for 28 years, said: "I think its devastating news for the market, but some good might come out of it if another rival supermarket takes over the store.

"If there is a reduction in footfall after it closes then a number of businesses will die out, but hopefully that won't happen.

"We are going into the unknown, it might be negative or it might stay the same.

"I hope another supermarket chain will come in for the site, that would be the ideal scenario."

David Crompton, who owns a butchers in the Oastler centre, said that he hoped the closure would benefit his stall and the market as a whole.

"I would like to think the Bradford public won't change their shopping habits, and will just walk a few more steps into the market to buy meat and vegetables from independent people who care about their customers. Morrisons has just dropped its customers like a hot potato," he said.

"It would make business sense for another chain to take the site because the building is already there and so are the customers.

"I don't think it will affect my business too much, people come for the quality of meat and service and my reputation rather than convenience."

Councillor Ruqayyah Collector (City, Independent) said the closure was disappointing for local people.

She added: "The job losses will be devastating, so I think that something would provide local jobs would be the priority to replace the store.

"It was nice for people to have a local branch of Morrisons in the city centre, but what can you do, hopefully whatever replaces it will fit in with the regeneration of the top end of town."

Shoppers were also reacting to the news that the store was closing.

Margaret Midgley, 65, from Allerton, said: "I'm not happy about it, I do shop here quite a lot.

"People who cannot drive and rely on the bus will have to go elsewhere, and Morrisons are letting down the people of Bradford and forgetting its roots."

Iris Ellis, 77, of Holme Wood, said: "It will have a big impact on people and the Oastler centre, people will be disappointed and I don't know any other supermarkets near here.

"If another chain moves into the store it will definitely be a good thing."

Council leader David Green (Wibsey, Labour), said the closure of the store was clearly a great disappointment.

"We have been talking to them regularly about the future use of the store and will be continuing to do that up to the closure," he said.

"At the moment we are waiting for Morrisons to decide what they want to do with the lease, whether they want to pass it on to another firm or hand it back to the Council."

Leader of the Conservative group on the local authority, Councillor Simon Cooke, said: "It is disappointing for the city that they have decided to close it but it didn't come as a surprise.

"It is important Morrisons tell us what they want to do with the site as soon as possible because the worst thing would be for it to be sat there boarded up; hopefully something good can come of it."

And leader of the Liberal Democrat group, Councillor Jeannette Sunderland, said she hoped another supermarket would move into the Westgate store.

She said: "It's sad news but we've seen it coming, it has been a real anchor in that part of town.

"I hope we get a good quality replacement supermarket, it is a good location and with chains opening stores all over the place you would like to think Westgate will be on their radars soon."