by Trevor Sturgess

tsturgess@thekmgroup.co.uk

British Home Stores has confirmed it is shutting its Folkestone store.

Dozens of jobs are at risk following the decision by retail magnate Sir Philip Green to sell the leases of the Folkestone store and nine others nationwide to budget fashion retailer Primark.

Shocked staff at the store in Bouverie Place Shopping Centre were told of the closure on Friday and are now in consultation about their future. The store is expected to close in March.

Folkestone is among 10 stores employing some 350 staff earmarked for closure over the next 12 months. The others include Harrogate, King's Lynn, Guildford and Winchester.

It is reported that the deal is part of a shake-up of Green's property portfolio and follows his decision to merge the 185-strong BHS chain with the rest of his Arcadia retail empire, which includes Topshop and Dorothy Perkins.

A spokeswoman said the company would be working closely with other store brands in the Arcadia group "to support individuals to find alternative employment".

She added: "Primark have indicated that they will be undertaking an extensive refurbishment of the store premises, and would expect to re-open at least six months after the closure."

The store is sited in the Bouverie Place mall.