The Build-A-Bear store in Canterbury city centre is closing at the end of the month with the loss of jobs.

It is thought the lease on the shop in the Whitefriars shopping centre has expired and the parties have not been able to reach agreement on a new one.

The store in Gravel Walk was one of the first to open in retail centre.

A Whitefriars spokesman said: "We can confirm that Build-A-Bear Workshop will be leaving Whitefriars Canterbury at the end of this year.

"Several discussions were entered into and possibilities investigated that would allow the business to continue trading in Whitefriars but we were not able to agree a compromise that suited both parties."