An electronics giant is set to close one of its Ashford stores as part of a nationwide shake-up of its operations.

PC World currently occupies the 15,000 sq ft store at the Ashford Retail Park in Barrey Road, Sevington.

But staff have reportedly been told that the store will close, and their jobs will be moved to the other Curry’s store on the Gallagher Retail Park, in Norman Road, South Ashford.

The changes are part of a nationwide three-in-one strategy outlined by the parent company Dixons Carphone to combine PC World, Curry’s and Carphone Warehouse stores in single sites.

According to the company’s Christmas trading statement, the plan will result in the closure of 134 stores across the country.

The statement said: “We have decided to launch a major programme to roll this format out across the whole market and put the portfolio into its long-term state.

“We have been doing this on a small scale for some years, and are very confident that the impact on sales and colleague numbers will be neutral or better.

“In addition, our experience shows that colleagues prefer working in, and customers prefer shopping in, our new three-in-one format stores.”

The company has set aside £50 million to help refit its stores and a further £70 million for vacating existing property, asset write-downs and other costs.

The company believes its earnings for the next financial year will be modest but reckons £20 million a year will be saved.

The Curry's store at the Gallagher Business Park in Norman Road was rebranded as a Currys PC World combined store in March 2014.

Meanwhile at the Ashford Retail Park, work continues on the second half of the site, with stores such as B&M Bargains, Dreams, Tapi and Costa Coffee set to open in the spring.

Meanwhile at Ashford's Designer Outlet, retail giant Next had its last day of trading on Saturday, February 13.

The store had launched a final clearance sale before closure, and blamed a huge rent hike as the reason for closing.

But American boots and fashion company Timberland announced it is set to open a 181 sq metre store at the Designer Outlet at 10am today.