Uncertainty surrounds the future of a Gillingham supermarket.

The owners of Budgens last week announced they were looking at closing 12 stores and the High Street branch may be affected. Bosses say closures are due to “disappointing trading results”.

Medway Council owns Britton Farm Shopping Centre, where the supermarket is located.

Council leader Alan Jarrett on Thursday authorised the council’s chief legal officer to vote in favour of a company voluntary agreement (CVA) at a creditors meeting on Friday.

If a company becomes bankrupt, they can use a CVA to pay creditors over a fixed period, and if the creditors agree the business can continue trading.

It is understood that staff were also called to a meeting to discuss the possible closure.

Cllr Andy Stamp, ward councillor for Gillingham north, said: “The council must make sure that the building is not empty for any length of time.”

A spokesman for The Food Retailer Operations, which owns Budgens, said: “It is anticipated that up to 12 stores could close.

“All remaining stores will continue to trade as normal and, where possible, staff will be redeployed to limit redundancies.”

The spokesman refused to confirm whether the Gillingham branch would be closing or how many jobs would be affected.