A question mark hangs over the future of major John Lewis stores in the county after the chain revealed it was looking at closing more of its shops as a result of the impact of the pandemic.

Describing the last year as one of the "most challenging" in its history, it said it "did not expect to reopen all our John Lewis shops at the end of lockdown".

There are John Lewis at Home stores in Ashford and Tunbridge Wells as well as a major store at Bluewater.

There had been fears over the future of the Ashford site on Fougeres Way last summer after it was not immediately reopened as the first lockdown eased. Now staff at the store, which opened in 2013, will be hoping it can survive the latest threat to its future.

The John Lewis Partnership, which also operates Waitrose supermarkets, announced a £517million annual loss in its financial figures this morning.

No details on which of its 42 stores are at risk have been revealed. It says it continues to have discussions with landlords and a further announcement is expected later this month.

Sharon White, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, said: “Hard as it is, there is no getting away from the fact that some areas can no longer profitably sustain a John Lewis store. Regrettably, we do not expect to reopen all our John Lewis shops at the end of lockdown, which will also have implications for our supply chain.

"Closing a store is one of the hardest decisions we can make as a partnership. We are acutely sensitive to the impact on our partners, customers and communities, particularly at a time when retail and our high streets are undergoing major structural change. We will do everything we can to lessen the impact and will continue to provide community funds to support local areas.

"A national effort of business, local and national government, and community will be needed to address the challenges facing the high street, communities and jobless youngsters from the sheer speed at which Covid is altering the structure of the economy."

Last year it closed eight John Lewis stores and seven Waitrose branches and is in the process of reducing the cost of its head office by 20%.

Non-essential retail stores are expected to reopen on April 12 under the government's roadmap out of lockdown.

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