Catalogue shop Argos is closing down and leaving Ashford town centre.

The shop, which is located on New Rents, will be moving into the Sainsbury’s Bybrook store, on the Warren Retail Park, next month.

It has left many shoppers upset and rueing the loss of yet another major town centre retailer.

But one leading council chief described the move as “inevitable”.

It comes after the supermarket giant bought Argos’ parent company - the Home Retail Group - in 2016 in a deal worth £1.4 billion.

It said at the time it had identified between 150 and 200 stores nationwide whose leases would be coming up for renewal prior to 2021 which it could move into a nearby Sainsbury’s store.

A spokeswoman for Sainsbury’s confirmed to our sister paper the Kentish Express: “I can confirm the town centre Argos store is moving into the Sainsbury’s Bybrook store.

"This new ‘store-in-store’ is set to open mid-June.

“The move is part of our strategy to integrate Argos stores within Sainsbury’s stores, following the acquisition of Home Retail Group.

“We have over 200 Argos outlets in Sainsbury’s stores already and we plan to open 280 in total by March 2019.”

The spokeswoman confirmed the town’s other Argos branch, on Ashford Business Park, will be remaining as it is with “no plans” to change it.

It didn’t stop many shoppers taking to social media to voice their concerns about the loss of another high street favourite.

Cllr Graham Galpin, Ashford Borough Council’s portfolio holder for the town centre and business, said: “This is inevitable in retail. We knew this would be coming and Argos and Sainsbury’s would consolidate.

“I’d love to go back 50 years to the way it was but time moves on and we have to adjust.”

He continued: “Ashford is still a great place and one of the most attractive business destinations.

“We have plenty of new people coming to the town and there will be someone to fill the space.”

Last month it was revealed Sainsbury’s and Asda would be merging.

The supermarket giants says the move should not result in any store closures of either brand.