Kilmarnock has been dealt another major retail blow after Argos bosses confirmed the store will be axed later this year.
The iconic catalogue retailer is ending its long association with the town and its Burns Mall store is set to close for good.
Shop chiefs refused to say when the outlet will stop trading and did not want to say how many staff are employed at the town centre store.
Speculation has suggested that the retailer could shut up shop for the final time in May, but bosses would not be drawn on this.
It's also not clear if jobs are at risk but it has been confirmed that workers will be offered "opportunities" to redeploy to Sainsbury's — who took over Argos in 2016.
An Argos spokesperson said: “Our Kilmarnock Argos store will close later this year and colleagues are being offered opportunities to redeploy to alternative roles within Sainsbury’s.
"Customers can continue to shop with us at our nearby stores, including our Irvine Argos in Sainsburys and Kilmarnock Stewarton Sainsbury’s Collection Point.”
It's understood that standalone Argos stores are being reduced to make way for more collection points within Sainsbury's stores.
Councillor Jon Herd said he hoped that Argos chiefs had taken into account that travelling to other Ayrshire stores may not be convenient for all workers.
He added: "The loss of Argos will be a major blow to the staff, the customers and the town centre as a whole.
"The nearest Sainsbury store is in Stewarton with another in Irvine, neither of which may be convenient for staff, and I would hope Argos has taken this into account when considering redeployment.
"I am meeting with the managers of the Burns Mall this week and will raise this matter with them."
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