Dorothy Perkins is next shop to leave Dewsbury

The store, in the Princess of Wales Precinct, will close by the end of July, meaning the loss of nine jobs.

The high street chain’s decision to pull out of the town is another blow to regeneration efforts.

It follows news that WHSmith’s precinct shop will close in June.

Dewsbury Regeneration Board chairman Coun Paul Kane said: “It’s just more bad news for Dewsbury that we could do without.

“The major retailers like these see others going and they lose confidence themselves. We’ve got to build that confidence back up.”

A Dorothy Perkins spokeswoman said she was not allowed to comment on any store closures. And staff said they had been told not to talk to anyone about the plans.

But Coun Kane said he was seeking talks between Dorothy Perkins and the council to see if the retailer could be persuaded to stay. He said the board had also made enquiries about inviting TV retail guru Mary Portas to Dewsbury as part of her high street review for the government.

A spokesman for precinct owner Ravenhill Estates said: “We continue to work with retailers in the precinct and those with potential interest in order to secure the best possible stores and retail experience for Dewsbury.

“Over the last number of years, in very difficult economic circumstances, we have reduced the number of vacant units and introduced a number of retailers for the first time to Dewsbury.”

He said it would continue to work with the council and local representatives.

Meanwhile, Bonmarche has quashed closure rumours circulating this week about its Market Place shop. A spokeswoman confirmed the store would stay open.