DOZENS of jobs are under threat after a major retailer confirmed it is quitting Winchester.

But the jobs gloom may be short-lived, as another major retailer is being lined up to move in.

Bhs will close its premises in The Brooks Shopping Centre — one of 10 of its outlets to shut nationwide.

Discount clothing chain Primark has been earmarked to replace the iconic department store, which has been in the city since 1996.

Fast-growing Primark struck a deal with Sir Phillip Green to take on the leases of all 10 Bhs stores, among them Bournemouth and Guildford.

Primark is expected to open its doors by the end of the year, but the news will come as a major blow to The Brooks, which already has seven empty units.

An employee at Beales, a rival department store also in The Brooks, said the centre was badly marketed and looked unloved.

“The Brooks doesn’t advertise the fact it’s there,” he said.

“Some customers tell us they didn’t even know there was a shopping centre in Winchester.

“I have only seen a sign on the high street saying ‘The Brooks’ pointing the way, but nothing about the shops or even that it is a shopping centre.

“It’s too hot in the summer and far too cold in the winter. You just have to look at Costa’s outside seating area in the winter — it’s deserted.”

It is unclear how many employees currently work at Bhs, but when it was opened in 1996 it creating 60 new jobs.

A spokeswoman for Bhs said staff — who were told the bad news last Friday — were being helped in finding alternative employment within the Arcadia group of companies.

Kit Finney, chairman of the Winchester branch of the North Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “It’s another large retailer that’s moving out and it’s a big shame.

“The Brooks seems to be struggling, but it’s circular. If it was fuller more and more people would go there.”

Mr Finney called for retailers to be given incentives to trade in The Brooks.

“What we need to do is to have an effort to get other shops in there and promote the place,” he said.

“There needs to be a marketing plan to get the Brooks Centre thriving. It’s a lovely centre, it just needs some quality retailers in there and up to full capacity.”

Amy McCartan, of Winchester’s Business Improvement District (BID), said: “It is a real shame that Bhs owners have decided to sell their lease and move out of The Brooks.

“However, in unconfirmed reports, it states that they have been leased to Primark, meaning that the unit will not be vacant for long.

“The Brooks is an important shopping area within the city and traders within The Brooks should not feel disheartened by this move.”

The store, which will close in May, occupies 22,000 sq ft of space, over two floors. Its manager refused to answer questions from the Hampshire Chronicle.

Rob Hobson, property director of London and Henley, owners of the Brooks Centre, said: “It’s hard to tell the impact. Bhs has been a great tenant and we’ll be sad to see them go.”

Addressing concerns about the number of empty shops, he added: “It’s more the downturn to be honest, it’s impacting everywhere, we’re actively trying to let the units.”

What do you think? A good opportunity for The Brooks Centre or further evidence of its decline? Leave your comments below.