A RETRO American diner will shut its branch at Basildon's Eastgate Shopping Centre after the brand was sold to new owners.

Ed's Easy Diner, based in the Debenhams store at the centre, is one of 26 of 59 restaurants across the UK which is shutting immediately.

The closures come after the chain's owner, Ed's Easy Diner Group, entered administration.

The other 33 diners, including one at Lakeside in West Thurrock, will remain open after they were sold to the Giraffe restaurant chain.