Jobs still remain in the balance for staff at show chain Barratts.

The firm, owned by Stylo, which has a branch at Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre in Gillingham, went into administration in January.

Joint administrators Deloitte has now announced the closure of 220 stores, with a loss of 2,500 jobs.

The remaining 160 stores and 165 concession outlets have been sold to the old management, saving 3,000 jobs.

It is not yet been announced which stores will close.

A spokesman for the management team said discussions would be held with affected staff late Thursday and a list of stores would be published the next day.

Neville Kahn, from Deloitte said:

“Given the difficult trading environment, we are pleased to have achieved a deal which will save 160 Stylo stores and 165 concession outlets across the UK and Ireland, thereby safeguarding 3,000 jobs. "Due to difficult short term financial difficulties and the long term sector outlook, however, the store portfolio was deemed to be too large, and unable to generate sufficient profits to cover its cost base.

"As a result, the remaining 220 stores will be closed imminently, with the regrettable loss of 2,500 jobs.

“We will be working closely with the Redundancy Payments Office and Job Centre Plus to provide support for all staff, which will include a fast track process for paying redundancy entitlements. We are extremely grateful to the staff and management for their support throughout this difficult period.