More shops are shutting in Chester city centre with the biggest blow being the closure of the Marks and Spencer home and menswear store.

M&S announced the decision last year, little more than a year since it opened its biggest store in the UK outside London at Cheshire Oaks in August 2012 but insisted this was not significant.

Fashion, home and food sections will now be brought under one roof in the M&S store on the other side of Foregate Street which is undergoing a revamp.

The outlet will also feature a new beauty department and bakery, as well as a brand new café.

Store manager Jonathan Bradburn said: “I am looking forward to welcoming customers to see the makeover of our Chester Foregate Street store on Thursday, April 10.”

Meanwhile, a 138-year history of continuous trading comes to end on Saturday with the closure of Pykes the Jewellers in Eastgate Street/Eastgate Row following the earlier demise of its Birkenhead and Liverpool stores.

After failing to find a buyer for the business, more than £6m worth of diamond rings, jewellery, watches and gift items are being sold off at up to 60% off their original prices during a massive clearance sale.

The retailer was established in Birkenhead in 1876 by William Pyke and the Eastgate Row outlet opened in 1978.

Five generations of the Pyke family had developed the business. The last chairman was John Pyke, great-grandson of the founder, his daughter Eleanor was managing director while his son Steven had a customer-facing role in the Chester branch.

Period ironmongery and homeware store Reminis in Watergate Street has also closed but still has a shop in Chirk and an online presence.