STAFF at Peacocks stores in Weymouth, Dorchester and Bridport have been told they will keep their jobs.

The fashion chain, which went into administration in January, has been sold to Edinburgh Woollen Mill, which announced closures of 338 Peacocks stores across the country, including those in Bournemouth and Poole.

But four outlets – New Bond Street, Weymouth, in Littlemoor shopping centre, in South Street, Dorchester and in East Street, Bridport have been given a reprieve.

Staff at the stores said they were not allowed to comment on the news, but a spokesperson for the Edinburgh Woollen Mill said the stores were “safe in the long run”.

He added: “The Peacocks brand is very popular, and that will be staying.”

The announcement is welcome news after recent debate about the decline of Weymouth as a retail centre.

Business expert Geoff Burch who presents BBC2’s ‘All Over the Shop’ said after a visit that the town’s empty shops gave off an air of neglect.

Anna-Maria Geare, president of the Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce, said: “This is fantastic news for Weymouth.

“That they have chosen our town as one of the places to keep the store open means they feel it is a good area for business.”

Project director for the Dorchester BID Phil Gordon welcomed the news that the county town’s Peacocks store was to remain open.

He said: “It’s fantastic news. I was one of the people remaining confident that they would decide to keep it open so that’s absolutely brilliant.”