Primark to step into BHS' shoes

The retail billionaire Sir Philip Green is closing down 10 of his BHS department stores after striking a deal with Primark, the fast-growing fashion retailer, to take over the shop leases.

The move is part of a broader shake-up of his property estate, following the decision to merge the 185-strong BHS chain into the rest of his Arcadia retail empire last year.

The 10 BHS stores employ 350 people but the closures will be phased over 12 months to give staff enough time to find new jobs. Staff were told of the decision on Friday night. Those that will close include stores in Harrogate, King’s Lynn, Guildford, Folkestone and Winchester.