The closure of a huge shopping centre could help a struggling high street, it has been revealed.

Plans are being drawn up to relocate brands and staff from the De Bradelei Wharf outlet in Dover, which is set to close in July.

In total, 32 members of staff are being made redundant after the firm behind the business, JB Armstrong, revealed a huge rise in energy bills and maintenance costs has made the shopping centre and its cafe unviable.

But the team at Port of Dover, which owns the large building and its land in Cambridge Road, are now working hard to help relocate staff.

The plans could also see some of the outlet’s shops move to the town centre.

A Port spokesman said: “Our thoughts are of course with those immediately affected by the news.

“Although the De Bradelei brand is not local, the people that work there are, and so we have already engaged our MP together with the town and district councils to explore opportunities for relocating employees into the town centre.

“As well as helping to safeguard those jobs and businesses, it would also bring some new life to currently empty retail premises.

“So we will continue to pursue this as the outlet prepares to close in the coming months.”

The port authority is also considering what to do with the building once it is emptied.

The spokesman added: “We have already begun to scope out potential future uses for the site in order that we can be primed to take advantage of new opportunities.

“We are determined that, by exchanging ideas early on, we can find a fresh connection between the port, the site and the community that will deliver new jobs and skills to drive Dover’s future in this location.”

The authority further commented that its team have been in talks with centre management about De Bradelei Wharf’s financial situation.

The spokesman added: “We know that town centres have struggled through and beyond Covid.

“The Port worked hard to provide support to the outlet over a period of time, notably during the pandemic, but it is clear that the business has sadly become unsustainable.”

Centre manager Sally-Ann Vokes, who is losing her job, said the outlet’s ladies’ wear section is already seeking new premises in the town centre.

She also wanted to encourage customers to keep supporting the centre while it is still open as there is plenty of stock left.

Only one brand, clothes and gift seller Unique U, has already moved out in anticipation of the closure.

The 10-unit discount shopping centre, which sells clothes, bedding, cookware and luggage and opened in 2002, will shut on Friday, July 14.