The owners of retailers TK Maxx and HomeSense have issued a statement amid fears about the future of their stores in Brighton and Sussex.

The two stores announced plans to close a number of stores over the coming weeks in another major blow to the high street.

However, while stores in Edinburgh, Arndale and Swansea will close or relocate, there are no confirmed plans for any closures in Sussex.

Deborah Dolce, group director of TJX Europe, said that the company is working to open new locations across the country, with stores set to open in nine locations across the country, including Stevenage and Watford.

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She said: “We are proud of our continued investment in communities across the country through new store openings, store modernisations and relocations.

“Last year, we opened two new stores - a TK Maxx in Bromborough and a HomeSense in Altrincham.

“This year, we’re opening another three new TK Maxx stores and a new HomeSense store in Stevenage.

“To meet growing customer demand on tkmaxx.com, we’re also opening a new logistics centre in Crewe, which will create jobs for the local community.

“We look forward to bringing new, bright and beautiful TK Maxx and HomeSense stores to even more shoppers across the UK and offering great retail careers to those communities.”

There are two TK Maxx stores in Brighton and Hove, in North Street and the Goldstone Retail Park, as well as one HomeSense store - also in North Street.