An historic department store which closed last month has been rescued after it was taken over in a deal signed this week.

The Nasons name will soon be back trading in Canterbury following the takeover of the 90-year-old family firm by a furniture specialist.

Anglia Home Furnishings has acquired the company and is currently re-fitting the former store in Maynard Road, Wincheap, which will be known as Nasons Furniture of Canterbury.

But the firm’s High Street department store, which is owned by a family trust, is not part of the takeover and its future remains unknown.

The deal was signed between former owner Andrew Nason and the AHF Group this week and could provide jobs for some of the 50 staff made redundant following the shock closure of the business on September 8.

The AHF group says former Nasons employees were given priority for an interview for the eight jobs created at the new store, which is due to open on November 23 - known in the retail world as ‘Black Friday’.

Speaking about the takeover, Andrew Nason, who blamed “brutal” trading conditions for the business’s demise, said: “I am delighted the Nasons name and legacy will continue to live on and serve the locals of Canterbury as part of a larger group”.

AHF managing director, Matt Hesketh added: “I am overjoyed to welcome Nasons into the AHF Group and extend our fantastic furniture offering into the prosperous city of Canterbury.

"We hope the local public are excited to see what we have to offer and the excellent service we pride ourselves upon.”

The furniture store is currently being refurbished and will offer a new range of sofas, beds, dining, living and bedroom furniture. The Hammonds fitted furniture concession will continue in the shop.

Meanwhile, the city centre shop remains boarded up. The footprint of the site extends over a wide area.

Business and planning commentators say it is a difficult building and location to work with and believe the site is likely to be redeveloped in the future.

What do you think? Email kentishgazette@thekmgroup.co.uk