A shopping outlet has closed down with staff reportedly being told they will not receive their last month's wages.

Workers at De Bradelei Wharf in Dover were told at 4.50pm yesterday that the outlet would not be reopening today.

The outlet, set on an 80,000 sq ft site in Cambridge Road, offered discounts on a range of big-name brand fashion and home brands.

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The De Bradelei website said that the Dover outlet was one of a number closing.

The message this morning says: "The Company De Bradelei Stores Ltd and subsequent stores De Bradelei Stores, Belper (Derbyshire): De Bradelei Wharf, Dover; Courtaulds Factory Shop, Nottingham have ceased trading with effect from 5.30pm on Tuesday, October 4."

People posting on social media told of their shock at the sudden closure.

Video: Staff in shock as De Bradelei closes

Coco Walsh said: "They told the staff at 4.50 tonight (Tuesday) and they are not getting any pay for the last month. Feel so sorry for everyone who worked there."

Rosemary Hutchings added: "Apparently the staff were told at the end of the day, what a terrible shock for them."

Another poster, Andy B, said: "I always thought it did good business, mainly the clothes shops.

"There always seemed to be a lot of people off the coaches in there, although some of the clothes were very expensive but good quality stuff. Lots of other smaller units in there seemed to come and go all the time."

The shopping complex''s future hung in the balance in 2005 after its parent company De Bradelei Mill Shops went into administration.

It was rescued after a consortium came forward to run the Dover site and two other outlets in Belper and Nottingham.

Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke said: “I am shocked. These shops have been popular with residents and visitors to Dover for many years. De Bradelei played a key role in connecting shoppers from the town to the seafront.

“But I am mostly concerned for the hard-working staff who are now out of a job. De Bradelei must do all they can to ensure workers are not left in the lurch by this sudden closure.”

Cllr Mike Eddy, leader of the Labour opposition on Dover District Council, said: "Everybody in Dover will be shocked by the news of the sudden closure of Dover's De Bradelei shopping centre.

"The distress for the staff is horrendous, especially as Christmas is fast approaching.

"And its potential impact on Dover's regeneration plans is very worrying. I would urge them to contact Citizens Advice in Dover and, if they are members of a union, to contact their trades union officials."

John Angell, chairman of the local businesses group Dover Town Team said: “ This is obviously a a shock and very disappointing news for Dover.

“We did not have a hint that this might happen. We are anxious to know if the business can no longer go on what might be able to take its place.”

Employee Sally Anne Vokes said that staff at De Bradelei Wharf were like family and were self-starters who would carry on working when there were no managers.

Ms Vokes who had been with the company for 12 years,: "I worked all day on yesterday and there was no problem. I got home at 5pm and got the news from telephone call from one of the managers who is also a friend.

"She was crying and said our jobs were gone, finished. We were all here for so long we were like a little family.

"Even when no managers were here we would carry on working as normal."

"But I think what upset us more than anything was the fact that the owner let us work a whole month, I think knowing that the place was going to close.

"We got just 24 hours' notice before pay day."