A FORMER army and navy store in Burnley has closed suddenly in another blow for the town centre.

Around half a dozen staff are thought to have been affected by the closure of the Yeomans Outdoor Stores branch in Parker Lane.

The shop, at the corner of Boot Way, formerly traded as the Famous Army and Navy Stores.

Bosses at Chesterfield-based Yeomans were unavailable for comment but the move is not thought to affect any of the chain’s other branches, including a branch in Skipton.

Coun Roger Frost, the borough’s executive member for regeneration, said he was confident that the town centre was faring well against competition.

He said town centre footfall had remained fairly constant throughout the year, but five per cent down on last year.