A Chester city centre supermarket store is to close its doors later this year, affecting 14 staff.

The Sainsbury's Local store has been trading on Watergate Street, near the Chester Cross, for the past decade.

But the supermarket giant says it has "made the difficult decision to close" the convenience store, which will take effect on September 14.

The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) said this will impact 14 staff, with most at risk of redundancy.

Bally Auluk, Usdaw national officer, said: “Sainsbury’s decision to close the Chester Watergate store is a shock and obviously devastating for the staff impacted.

"We are providing our members with the support, advice and representation they need at this difficult time. Our priorities are to seek suitable alternative employment within Sainsbury’s for those at risk of redundancy and secure the best possible deal for our members.”

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “We are currently talking to our colleagues in our Chester Watergate Street Local store, which we have made the difficult decision to close.

"We understand this will be an unsettling time for those affected and we are supporting them in every way we can, including exploring opportunities for colleagues to redeploy within Sainsbury’s.

“We regularly review our property estate and the decision to close a store is never taken lightly and is based on a range of factors.”

Customers will be able to continue shopping with Sainsbury’s at the nearby Chester supermarket or the Faulkner Street Local store.