Jarrolds to close its city centre furniture shop

The Granary is near the Jarrolds department store in Norwich city centre

Redundancies are a possibility following news that a well known Norfolk business is to close one of its shops.

Jarrolds, which is best known for its Norwich city centre department store, said its nearby furniture shop, The Granary, would shut next month.

It said it could not confirm how many jobs might be at risk but confirmed that "a number of colleagues" would be affected.

Jarrolds has also announced that the furniture department within its flagship store will be run by an independent operator.

Tim Shattock, managing director for trading, said Jarrolds would be investing in other areas of the business, including a possible hotel, wine bars, restaurants and coffee shops.

In June, Jarrolds announced the closure of its book department on the third floor, saying it was no longer viable to compete with national and online booksellers.

Previously, it said the toy department would be extended, alongside the travel agency and the restaurant.

It comes following the company's move to cut the hours of 70 staff to combat rising costs, and the closure of its Wymondham store last September.

Figures published at the end of January showed that the wider Jarrolds business made a £11.9m profit last year.

The business is also making changes to departments within its main store

Mr Shattock said he believed The Granary would end trading in mid-October.

"Unfortunately, a number of colleagues will be affected by this closure," he said.

"During a consultation process, we will be discussing alternative employment opportunities within the business for those affected.

"We are in discussions with a prospective buyer for the building on Bedford Street and hope it will remain as a retail business."

Referring to the changes in the furniture department within the main store, Mr Shattock said the new collaboration hoped to ensure its offering was "one of the best in the region".

He said Jarrolds was investing in areas such as "our food hall, wine bars, restaurants, coffee shops, personal shopping services and the Retreat spa day".

"As part of this... Jarrolds is changing the way that it sells furniture. We have agreed an exciting new furniture collaboration with a leading independent furniture specialist."