ONE of Britain's largest DIY chain stores is axing one of its Southampton branches.

Retail giant B&Q announced today it is shutting its outlet in Mayfield Road, Swaythling, early next year.

The news was a hammer blow for staff there just weeks before Christmas.

Tonight the company refused to disclose how many jobs are at risk but is in talks with employees to determine redundancy packages or whether they will be redeployed elsewhere.

Bosses put it down to the landlord declining to renew the lease and that the site will be developed into housing after it closes on Saturday, February 28.

Its stores on the Nursling Industrial Estate and in Hedge End and Eastleigh, will remain open.

The firm opened its first ever store in Portswood Road in the 1960s before opening the larger outlet in Mayfield Road.

A statement released by a company spokesman said: “B&Q confirmed that it has advised staff at its Southampton store on Mayfield Road, Swaythling, Southampton that it is intending to close the store due to the lease not being renewed by the landlord, with the intention of the site being redeveloped for residential use.

“It is expected that the store will cease trading from Saturday 28th February 2015.

“We will continue to serve customers in the area at its nearby Eastleigh, Hedge End and Nursling stores which are approximately three miles away, and offer the great choice and enhanced product ranges for which B&Q is known.”

Divisional Director, Andrew McDonnell commented: “It is with great regret that, after 28 years trading and due to the store lease not being renewed by our landlord, we are now in a period of consultation with a number of our employees about the closure of our store.”