RETAIL chain Argos has confirmed that its long-standing store in Ellesmere Port town centre will permanently shut.

The branch inside the Port Arcades shopping centre had temporarily closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Argos, owned by supermarket giant Sainsbury's, have confirmed to The Standard that the store will not be reopening its doors after being included in plans to axe up to 70 of the chain's standalone branches.

The company says staff will have the opportunity to be redeployed to "other available roles in the area".

An Argos branch opened inside Ellesmere Port's Sainsbury's store, near Cheshire Oaks, back in 2016.

The chain has had a store at the Port Arcades for nearly 30 years.

A spokesperson for Argos said: "Last year we announced a review of our estate, which included plans to close 60-70 standalone Argos stores and we have now updated colleagues on our plans to close the Ellesmere Port store.

"Customers can continue to shop with us in nearby Sainsbury’s and Argos stores.

"Colleagues will have the opportunity to redeploy to other available roles in the area. We understand this will be an unsettling time for those affected and we are supporting them in any way we can."