A DEPARTMENT store chain has confirmed the permanent closure of a store in the North East at the end of the week.

TJ Hughes, which has stores across the region including in Newcastle and Durham, said its Middlesbrough store would shut for good.

Signs had recently gone up in the store, which is in Captain Cook Square, saying it would close its doors on Saturday, June 12.

In a poster, bosses at the store thanked customers for their support over the years as the closing date was revealed.

This comes months after the local authority purchased the shopping complex ahead of redevelopment plans in the town.

A spokesperson for TJ Hughes said: "It is with deep regret that we can confirm we have announced the TJ Hughes Middlesbrough store will be closing.

"We are extremely saddened by the need to make this announcement; unfortunately the business will be vacating the premises, as the site is undergoing planning for redevelopment as part of the regeneration scheme that is currently happening in Middlesbrough."

Earlier this year, The Northern Echo understood that the store had been fined £17,000 by Middlesbrough Council after ignoring lockdown rules during restrictions.

At the time, store bosses said: "We have voluntarily made the decision to close the store until further decisions are made. We will be back with some fantastic offers very soon to share with you."

Shortly after, Jason Harmer, chief operating officer at TJ Hughes said it had planned to legally challenge the fines.