UP to 10 jobs could be lost in the next couple of months with the planned closure of two clothing stores in Galashiels.

It is understood that the shutters will come down on both Burtons and Dorothy Perkins in October.

Although nobody at the Arcadia Group headquarters would discuss or confirm the reports, staff have been notified and 'closing down' posters were placed in the windows last week.

As well as the loss of jobs, the store closures will add to the number of empty units on one of Gala's main shopping streets.

Councillor Euan Jardine told us: "I am extremely disappointed that these stores are closing.

"They have been an asset to Galashiels and the region for many years and I have written to Arcadia to vent my frustration and also ask about the future of the staff that are employed in store.

"Unfortunately, people’s shopping habits are changing.

"The fact you can now in certain places get same day delivery from stores like Amazon, really shows how hard it is for retail stores to survive on the modern day high street."

There are already close to a dozen empty shops on the main street leading up to the under-construction Tapestry Visitor Centre.

Councillor Jardine hopes ongoing talks with retail groups will attract new businesses to Galashiels ahead of the grand opening.

He added: "The council have been contacting national retail providers in an effort to occupy empty stores on Channel Street.

"They have faced a few stumbling blocks to retailers commitment to expansion which include various political matters that dominate the headlines both in Scotland and Britain as a whole.

"However, with the Tapestry opening soon, the footfall in the area will increase and this is one of the main selling points we are using when trying to entice retailers.

"I also think discussions with the people responsible for letting these properties has to be explored.

"I would ask for any business to have faith in the town, which is going through a phase of regeneration and really emphasise the point that Galashiels is open for business and a great place for your business to succeed."

Sir Philip Green's Arcadia Group announced in May that it was closing 23 stores across the UK with the loss of around 500 jobs.

But only Glasgow and Aberdeen were the Scottish outlets to appear on the hit list.

But further financial problems for the international retail group in June led to a rescue plan being unveiled to shareholders involving 1,000 job losses and shutting a further 50 stores.

The Arcadia Group, whose brands also include Topshop, Miss Selfridge and Evans, have refused to discuss this latest tranch of closures.

But chief executive Ian Grabiner was more talkative in May when announcing the initial job losses.

He said: "Against a backdrop of challenging retail headwinds, changing consumer habits and ever-increasing online competition, we have seriously considered all possible strategic options to return the Group to a stable financial platform.

“This has been a tough but necessary decision for the business."