A SUPERMARKET in Canterbury city centre could close in early December with the loss of more than 100 jobs if no buyer is found.

Morrisons, the owner of the Safeway store in St George's Place, has put the site up for sale and given its 112 staff 90 days' notice.

Rumours that Waitrose were interested would not be confirmed by the company.

A Waitrose spokesman said: "We do not discuss our development plans but are always interested in looking at potential new sites."

Safeway launched the St George’s Place branch in 1984, but the store is thought to have suffered with the recent opening of Tesco Metro in Whitefriars and the expansion of Marks & Spencer’s food hall.

Since Northern-based supermarket operator Morrisons acquired the chain last year it has been "reviewing its operations".

A Morrisons spokesman said: "This is the first stage in the process but we are unable to estimate the time period in finding a purchaser.

"Where possible, we will always try and offer staff alternative employment at our other stores."

But businesses in the St George’s Centre opposite Safeway, whose premises are also owned by Morrisons, are fearful for their future.

Yan Cowley, of Canterbury Cameras, said: "I think we will suffer quite a lot if there is no supermarket here because we rely quite a lot on the footfall.

"It’s quite worrying because we just don’t know what our future is going to be on this site."

Sandeep Amin who runs the newsagents and tobacconist next door was equally concerned.

He said: "If the store closes because they can’t find a buyer, I am not sure where that will leave us. But we will certainly be seriously affected if there is no supermarket because we rely on people walking through."

Waitrose may consider the purpose-built supermarket building and parking facilities ideal, but the site could also appeal to another type of retailer or even one of the city’s expanding educational institutions.

Meanwhile, the former Safeway superstore in Wincheap has been re-branded as Morrisons and re-opened with extra facilities including photo processing and a specialist butcher and fishmongers.