A KENT town's only department store could be saved from closure after several businesses expressed an interest in a collection of shops being axed by The Co-op Group.

The High Street Co-op in Sittingbourne store is one of 36 nationally being sold by the group after a detailed strategic review of group’s department store business which lost more than £4million in 2004 and has a history of poor performance.

Eight of the stores have already closed, but another 28 are still on the market, including the Sittingbourne one which employs 28 full and part-time staff.

Co-op Group spokesman Phil Edwards said there had been a lot of interested from department stores and other businesses in the portfolio of stores, although he declined to say if the Sittingbourne store was among those attracting interest.

He added: "We are currently looking at the offers we have received and will discuss any developments with our staff first."

If no buyer can be found for the Sitingbourne store then it will close in February 2007.

Announcing the sell-off in December last year, Co-op Group chief executive Paul Hewitt said the decision had been taken with regret.

"The review concluded that a complete exit from the sector, disposal of the stores and the re-investment of the proceeds into our core businesses was the only commercial option," he said.

Swale Borough Council’s economic development officer Kieren Mansfield said in December: "If it is sold it will clearly have implications for the town centre and its future.

"However, even though it’s an important presence and building, it is just one store and unlikely to affect the overall strategic approach to the future of Sittingbourne town centre," he added.