Ten BHS department stores are to close as retail magnate Sir Philip Green overhauls his property estate.

The stores earmarked for closure over the next 12 months are reported to include Harrogate, King’s Lynn, Guildford, Folkestone and Winchester, and will be taken over by fashion retailer Primark. There are 185 BHS outlets in total.
Sir Philip bought BHS from Storehouse Group in 2000 for £200m. However, the recession is thought to have hit profitability at the homewares and fashion chain. It forms part of Sir Philip’s Arcadia Group, which also includes Topshop, Miss Selfridge and Burtons.
Despite the closures Sir Philip reportedly still intends to open six new BHS stores.