ONE of a Kent town's longest-established retail stores has been sold, losing nine full-time and 28 part-time jobs.

The Co-operative Group has sold its department store in Strood High Street for an undisclosed sum to MASH Investments of Birkenhead.

In February the company sold its Gillingham High Street store with the loss of 33 jobs. When the closure was announced, manager David Tyler said: "It’s devastating news."

The Co-op is also trying to sell the Chatham High Street store. If no buyer is found by February next year, the store will close anyway. The company is moving out of department store retailing, which has performed badly in recent years. Last year its stores lost £4million.

Chief executive Paul Hewitt explained: "Our review of the business concluded that a complete exit from the sector and re-investment of the proceeds into our core business was the only option."

A Co-op spokesman said: "We regret the job losses and will do all we can to help those affected find alternative employment."

So far there is no indication of what the new owners of the Strood department store intend to do with the premises.