A MAJOR Hampshire department store has today announced its closure.

Beales in Winchester has placed 'Closing Down sales - everything must go' notices in the windows of its large two-storey shop.

The Brooks Centre store will shut on August 1.

It comes less than a month after the Bournemouth-based company agreed a deal to cut its rent.

Executive chairman Stuart Lyons said: “The Winchester store has been making heavy losses because of its high rent.  

"We very much regret having to close it, but the closure is consistent with the policies we have announced for restoring the finances of the Beales group and protecting our flagship stores, such as Bournemouth and Poole.”

The shop was one of 14  which Beales said would be unviable unless rates weredrastically reduced.

The Winchester store has been the Brooks' flagship store since the centre opened in 1992.

Today the staff and manager declined to comment. No one was available for comment this afternoon at the head office in Bournemouth.

It is currently unclear how many jobs will go.

The company's financial problems have been well publicised. Last month it secured a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) with its creditors.

Richard Barnes, 51, who works for Hampshire County Council in Winchester said he was saddened by the closure.

Mr Barnes said: “I think it is going to kill it (the Brooks), it is one of the biggest shops that brings the names in.

“I work in Winchester and used to always come down to Beales and have a wander, it is a shame.”

Another shopper who asked not to be named said: “I think it is a disaster.”

The shop sells clothing and household goods and also has a cafe.