It has been widely reported that BHS stores across the country are set to close due to the company being forced into administration.

This will almost certainly affect the store in Weston-super-Mare town centre and Streetlife users and Mercury readers have had a mixed reaction to the news.

There are 11,000 jobs at risk due to the retail giant’s collapse and this is the main concern of the people of Weston.

The store, in High Street, could be closed when a buyer is found, meaning jobs are at risk.

Julia Hiscoke reacted to the post with sadness, having worked there in the past.

She said: “As a former employee I would be sad to see this once brilliant company go and see a huge amount of people lose their jobs.”

Phyllis Alison Fox commented: “Its very sad for Weston and the staff. It is always nice to see a department store.”

Weston’s town centre manager, Steve Townsend, said: “To me, it seems like the store has lost its way a little bit.

“However, there may be light at the end of the tunnel. I am sure the space can be equally as successful.

“It is a very big store in Weston and I even thought about this last night; it could perhaps become a Primark.”

The idea of replacing the store with a Primark was not popular with everyone.

Caroline Davis reacted to a Mercury Facebook post by saying: “I feel sorry for the staff but any suggestion about Primark going in there is ridiculous.

“A lot of people wanted one in TJ Hughes which is still empty.”

While the loss of jobs is a concern for the town centre, many Mercury readers and Streetlife users are not surprised by the retail store’s demise.

Jason Pole said: “It is always empty so it won’t be missed by many people.”

Andy Smith certainly felt this way and said: “I did not know there was a BHS in Weston.”

The company is continuing to trade in administration.

A statement from BHS read: “The group has been undergoing restructuring and the shareholders have been in negotiations to find a buyer for the business.

“These negotiations have been unsuccessful. In addition property sales have not materialised as expected in both number and value. The directors therefore have no alternative but to put the group into administration.

“The group will continue to trade as usual while the administrators seek to sell it as a going concern.”