THIRTY-TWO jobs will be lost and three shops will close in north Kent despite clothing retailer Peacocks being saved from administration.

On February 22 The Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group, based in Scotland, stepped in to save 6,000 retail jobs after agreeing to buy the troubled clothing chain for an unclosed sum.

The group has taken over 388 stores, 57 concessions and three distribution centres leaving the remaining 224 shops to close with immediate effect.

Staff have been made redundant at Peacocks stores in The Priory Centre in Dartford, Gravesend High Street and Swanley Shopping Centre.

MP for Dartford, Gareth Johnson, said: "It is very disappointing that the new owners of Peacocks were not willing to keep the Dartford store open, particularly as retail sales generally have increased recently.

"This decision highlights the need for the regeneration proposals for Dartford to go ahead."

Chairman and chief executive of the Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group, Philip Day, said: "We look forward to working with our new colleagues to rebuild the business in what is a very tough economic environment for High Street retailers in the UK."

He added: "We do hope that there will be scope to save more jobs and stores from those being forced to close now due to performance issues and overhead pressures."

Peacocks shops in north Kent

Gravesend - closing (10 jobs)

Dartford - closing (13 jobs)

Swanley - closing (9 jobs)