Clothes store C&A has become the fourth major retailer to quit Chelmsford town centre in the last four months.

The decision, announced yesterday (Thursday) as part of a nationwide shutdown of UK operations, means C&A joins women's fashion store Hamells, Sainsbury's and family-owned department store Bolingbroke and Wenley in quitting the town centre.

But Mick McDonagh, manager of High Chelmer Shopping Centre and president of Chelmsford's Chamber of Commerce, stressed the closures were not an indication of trading standards in the shopping centre: "Hamells was a national decision, as was C&A, so it was nothing to do with retail in High Chelmer.

"Sainsbury's was another global decision, but we are talking to Sainsbury's about a new offer and there will be some news on that very soon."

He added: "I can say that these trends are showing an increase in the competitive nature of the UK retail market and there is a renewed focus on the efficiency of retail. People are concentrating on the basics.

"It confirms that retail is a dog-eat-dog world where those that fail to operate effectively will be taken over by those who can."

Mr McDonagh said it was possible to see a positive side to the stores' closures.

"Short-term, it is always a disappointment to see a retailer fail but, in the long-term, it is going to be beneficial because it is going to be a bigger, brighter retailer."

He said the redevelopment of Boots, plus the relocation of the Topshop/Topman store from Meadows to High Chelmer, showed trade was still strong.

Chelmsford major store closures

March 25: Hamells quits High Chelmer - replaced by The Officers Club

April 15: Bolingbroke and Wenley, quits High Street after 150 years - undergoing revamp

June 3: Sainsbury's quits High Chelmer after 29 years - still vacant

June 15: C&A announces closure at High Chelmer after 17 years

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.