WILKO has confirmed it will close its doors in Bournemouth town centre next month.

The discount home goods store in the Richmond Gardens Shopping Centre - also known as the Dalkeith Arcade - will close on February 12.

A spokesperson for Wilko said: “We’ll be bidding a fond farewell to our Dalkeith Arcade store on February 12, 2022.

"We’d like to take this opportunity to thank any affected team members and to reassure customers that we’ll continue to offer everything they need from nearby stores in Winton and Boscombe or via wilko.com.”

It comes after Wilko confirmed it has served a notice of discontinuance to the landlord of the unit after not being able to agree "more favourable lease terms".

The closure of the Bournemouth store will come as a big blow to the town centre with Wilko being a big draw for shoppers in the region.

Roger Jenkins, the national officer for GMB union, said: "“It’s yet another nail in the High Street’s coffin and GMB calls on councils and landlords to review commercial leases and offer lower rents.

“Empty high streets and shopping centres are in no one’s interest and but with 400 shops a week closing, this is inevitable - unless the costs of premises can be reduced."