The BHS shop in County Square is facing closure after the retail giant revealed almost a third of its shops are under-performing.

The department store, which has been in the town-centre shopping arcade for about 10 years, is one of 52 across the country that could be closed, sold or down-sized.

A list of 52 under-performing BHS stores was drawn up by new owners Retail Acquisitions, which bought the struggling chain from boss Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia Group for just £1 last week.

When Sir Philip, chairman of the Arcadia Group, which includes chains such as Topshop and Dorothy Perkins, sold BHS he seemed confident Retail Acquisitions would develop his old company.

He said on Thursday last week: “I am pleased we have found a buyer in Retail Acquisitions Ltd who wants to develop the BHS brand.

"Having acquired the business nearly 15 years ago, in May 2000, one of my clear objectives in identifying a purchaser was ensuring their desire to take the business forward.

“BHS has a strong portfolio of 171 stores throughout the UK. I am deeply proud of the work ethic displayed by the very many people I have worked with for so long, both within our head office and across the stores.

“I would also like to thank the very many loyal and dedicated customers who shop with BHS, visit our cafes and use our website on a regular basis and hope they will continue to do so.”

"This is a fantastic opportunity to breathe new life into this iconic British high-street brand." - Keith Smith

Retail Acquisitions chairman Keith Smith seemed equally confident, adding: “This is a fantastic opportunity to breathe new life into this iconic British high-street brand.

"We are convinced that with strategic and focused support, we will return BHS to profitability and safeguard the workforce.”

Last month signs saying “Closeout – everything must go” appeared in the window of the Ashford store, prompting some customers to fear the shop was shutting then.

However, a BHS spokesman told the Express: “The signs are market terminology. They were advertising a sales promotion in the store, with big price reductions on many products.”

BHS recorded a cash loss of £21 million in its last financial year but, according to The Telegraph, the sale of leases on the stores could raise an estimated £30 million.

Canterbury’s BHS store, at Whitefriars, closed in January 2014, along with a number of others across the country.

Six months later, popular discount clothing chain Primark opened in the building.