A MAJOR retailer has revealed it is quitting a Hampshire shopping centre.

Argos has announced they will be leaving the The Brooks Shopping Centre in Winchester to open a new digital store at Sainsbury’s in Badger Farm.

The new store will open on July 22, and Sainsbury’s say that 18 staff from the Argos will be redeployed to the new location.

The news comes after the Brooks is undergoing a period of transformation as a major retailer, which is believed to be TK Maxx is set to move in where Beales once was, however nothing has been officially announced.

The move comes after Sainsbury’s acquired Home Retail Group, which owns Argos and is part of its strategy to help its customers shop whenever and wherever they want.

Across the country, Sainsbury’s have been using Argos to occupy some of the surplus selling space, and there are 59 Argos ‘concessions’ inside the grocery stores.

City councillor Ian Tait, said the departure of Argos is “disappointing” for the shopping centre.

Cllr Tait said:”I think it is disappointing but I can understand why it is going.

“I just wonder if Argos was the right business for the Brooks and if TK Maxx signs on the bottom line and they can sort out the entrance to The Brooks, and the space vacated by Argos would be secured by a different sort of retailer.”

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “Sainsbury’s has been a part of the local community for many years and we are really thrilled to welcome Argos and its team to our store. The new shop is great news for customers, who are looking for easier, more convenient ways to shop.We’re looking forward to offering them an increased range of products at great value, all under one roof.”