The leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has expressed his shock and surprise following the news of Basingstoke's John Lewis shop shutting down with 93 jobs at risk.

Speaking to the Gazette, Councillor Ken Rhatigan said he wasn’t aware of the closure until this morning (Wednesday).

He said he has been left shocked and surprised by the company's decision.

The 73,000 square foot store, which includes a Waitrose supermarket, only opened at Basing View in November 2015. 

The leader said: “It has sent a shock and surprise. I have already been in touch with John Lewis this morning to see if we might be able to approach them on other options, for the building and for their presence in Basingstoke.”

He said he feels for the customers and the employees, whose jobs will now be put at risk.

Cllr Rhatigan said: “[I feel] especially for the partners who will be losing jobs after a period working for John Lewis.

“Retail is reshaping itself and we need to be mindful of that for our strategies to make sure that whatever we offer for Basingstoke is the right offering for the long term.”

After the news broke this afternoon, readers in their dozens have shared their sadness.

One person said: "[This is] such a loss for Basingstoke and a deeper loss for those who now need to find new work." 

The Basingstoke store is one of eight proposed for closure by the John Lewis partnership. The company said the decision has been made to help it "rebalance its store estate to reflect changing ways of customers shopping".

It comes as a bitter blow for the town which has already lost Debenhams, which occupied the flagship store in Festival Place, after losing Topshop and Zara. 

Another reader said: “Zara, Debenhams, now this. So sad! I am very sorry for people working there.”

One person called the closure a “real shame” and added: “The only place in Basingstoke that you could actually ‘view’ baby items like prams etc after Mothercare went.”

Another respondent called the decision short-sighted.

“How very short sighted of JLP, they could have filled the gap left by the closure of Debenhams etc. by introducing clothing and beauty into the store and therefore saving jobs too! In times like this, businesses need to diversify!”

Among those who shared their sadness were ex-partners of the store.

One said: “As an ex-partner it saddens me to see the partnership going through such tough times. I only hope that things will pick up and all of those affected can find themselves new roles.”

A reader said this store was one of the best thing about Basingstoke.

“Literally only positive improvement Basingstoke had made in recent years adding this new store. Not a good sign for the town.”

Another reader showed concerns about Basingstoke turning into a “ghost town”.

“Very sad. Towns like Basingstoke slowly becoming a ghost town. Just got to look at the number of empty units in festival place and at the top of town. We are talking about people's livelihoods here. Jobs and small business owners! The government needs to work with local councils and landlords to offer some kind of incentive to kick start business. No rent for the first year but then rising incrementally over years 2-5. Need to do something!”