The electrical retailer Tandy is to close 69 of its UK stores with the loss of around 230 jobs.

The US-owned chain said the loss-making stores were being closed in a "restructuring programme."

Managing Director, Andrew Fryatt, said even after the closures, the chain of 269 remaining stores would be the second-largest high street electrical retail chain in the UK.

The move is to protect the profitability of its remaining stores, which employ around 1,600 people.

Mr Fryatt said a substantial amount of money had been invested in the chain in the past two years.

He blamed changes in the retail environment for the ongoing loss-making of the 69 stores selected for closure.

"We have tried a number of actions to improve the performance of these stores, but have been forced to conclude that there is no prospect of a return to profitability in these locations.

"The difficult decision to close them has therefore been taken to improve the underlying financial health of the company," said Mr Fryatt.

He said the affected staff would be offered alternative positions wherever possible.

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