A major retailer could leave Wokingham later this year in a blow town planners believe emphasises the need for regeneration.

Burton and Dorothy Perkins in Market Square is scheduled to close at the end of October signalling the loss of eight jobs.

The revelation comes days ahead of a new indoor market opening to try to entice more shoppers into the town.

Town centre regeneration manager Bernie Pich said: “We are aware of Dorothy Perkins’ plan to leave its current store and are disappointed that this will leave a vacant unit in Denmark Street.

“While we are not aware of the precise factors leading to their departure, it appears to be in line with Arcadia’s property strategy announced last November to close around 10 per cent of their existing stores due to a 38 per cent fall in annual profit.

“This closure reinforces one of the main goals of the regeneration project which is to strengthen north south footfall within the town.

“We plan to introduce new anchors at the bottom of Denmark street and at Peach Place that should help draw custom back to the town and increase footfall past locations such as the Dorothy Perkins shop.”

Staff at the store say they were told the clothing chain attempted to negotiate its rent for a refurbishment but decided to end the lease when no agreement could be reached with the landlord.

Deputy manager Emma Willmoth said: “The store needs a refit. The heating and air conditioning is very old and would cost thousands to repair.

“The back of house is also very small and needs an extension.

“It would be a shame to close because there aren’t many men’s shops in Wokingham as it is.

“We’ve had a few complaints and people have been writing to the council.”

Staff believe the closure, which could be postponed until after Christmas, is not due to sales which the deputy manager says are pretty good.

Mark Walton, president of Wokingham Chamber of Commerce, said: “It’s always a shame to see a bigger store move out.

“The timing of this is unfortunate ahead of the regeneration but this is an opportunity for someone to come in.

“It is a fairly large unit which could be difficult in the current market to get re-let.

“Wokingham needs to market itself for what shoppers want to use it for and landlords need to present their units in a much tidier fashion to be ready for letting.

“The upside is not far away with the regeneration in the next three to five years. There are some big changes coming but that doesn’t help tenants in the next few months.”

Arcadia Group, the parent company of the store, failed to comment as The Wokingham Times went to press.

The indoor market in the former Peacocks store, in Denmark Street, opens on Saturday.

Around 20 businesses have registered an interest in the venture, which begins with a three-month trial.

The market is open from 9am to 4pm on Tuesdays to Saturdays, with charity stalls and table-top sales on Wednesdays.

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