Jobs are under threat at two High Street chains based in Medway.

Sports chain JJB Sports, which has branches in Chatham and Gillingham, will close 72 of its stores by the end of the month as a result of a sharp drop in profits.

The company has not yet named the affected stores.

Fashion store Ethel Austin, is also facing financial troubles after going into administration. Redundancies have been made at 33 branches.

The Chatham High Street branch is currently safe from the axe, but could be at risk if administrators fails to find a buyer.

Managers at JJB in Chatham High Street, which employs 20 staff, and Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre, Gillingham said they were not allowed to comment at this time.

Chief executive, Chris Ronnie, said: “The 72 stores are being closed because they are not profitable and are a huge drain on the business.”

A spokesman for Ethel Austin said:

"We cannot rule out the possibility of more stores closing in the future.”

See Friday's print edition of the Medway Messenger for full story