JOBS are at risk after it was announced a popular discount store in Galashiels is to close.

Last week, bosses at B&M Bargains confirmed the Stirling Street shop would close its doors for the final time next month.

The company refused to comment on how many jobs were at risk or how many staff currently work at the branch.

B&M told the Border Telegraph: “We can confirm that unfortunately our store in Galashiels will be closing its doors in December. We’re about to go through consultation so we are unable to discuss jobs.”

One frustrated shopper got in touch with us to voice her concerns.

She said: “This is going to be another empty store on our streets. I spoke to the staff in the shop and they said the store is closing on December 17, but no one seems to know about job losses at the moment.

“First of all I just thought ‘here we go again’. I don’t think it’s fair, they have got to think of the people. We’re going to be losing another good shop.

“It’s a really good shop, because it’s really cheap and that helps a lot of people. I think this will mean the likes of Tesco and Asda will hike their prices up just before Christmas,” she added.

The chain, which also has a branch in Hawick, opened the shop in Stirling Street in 2010. The discount-retailer has around 500 shops across the UK, as well as under the JAWoll brand in Germany.

It opened its first store in 1978 in Cleveleys, in the Blackpool area and is now based in Liverpool. 

And last year the company saw 3.3 million customer transactions in their stores each week.

Rumours are circulating that fellow discount store Home Bargains, which is owned by a different Merseyside-based company, TJ Morris, owns the Stirling Street plot and plans to move into it when B&M leaves.

Home Bargains declined to comment when approached by the Border Telegraph for a comment on the rumours, but a spokesperson said she was “not able to provide a comment”.