by Trevor Sturgess

tsturgess@thekmgroup.co.uk

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

Retail tycoon Sir Philip Green is selling 10 of the leases from his BHS stores to rival Primark, the budget fashion retailer.

Folkestone is said to be 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. Reports in national newspapers say the staff were told about the plan on Friday and given their notice.

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 Folkestone store is sited in the Bouverie Place mall.