THE Bhs store in Ilford will be one of 10 to close down this year as part of a bid to reshape the clothing and homeware chain.

Owner Sir Philip Green will hand over the stores to Primark as a major shake-up of his retail portfolio begins.

The Ilford branch, in High Road, will close for six months as the discount retailer carries out a large-scale revamp of the store.

Bhs last year became part of Sir Philip's Arcadia Group, which includes Topshop, Burton and Miss Selfridge, and plans are in place to introduce brands such as Evans and Dorothy Perkins into Bhs stores.

The chain is reported to have suffered in the recession as the downturn in the housing market affected spending on homewares.

Midmarket fashion was also hit as pressure increased from cut-price clothing companies such as Primark.

A total of 350 staff will lose their jobs as a result of the changes.

A spokeswoman for Bhs said: "The [Ilford] store staff were told of their store closure on Friday last week, and are now in a consultation process with the relevant head office teams who will discuss their options and work closely with Arcadia brands and other retailers in the local area to support individuals to find alternative employment.

"Primark have indicated that they will be undertaking an extensive refurbishment of the store premises, and would expect to re-open at least six months after the closure."