CHESHIRE East Council has pledged to support any BHS employees in Crewe or Handforth Dean affected by the collapse of the company.

BHS has store in Crewe and Handforth.

BHS in Queensway, Crewe, is in the heart of the Royal Arcade site, which Cheshire East Council purchased for £6 million in April 2015.

Following its collapse, Rachel Bailey, Cheshire East Council leader, said: “It is regrettable when a high street name such as BHS ceases to trade in these circumstances.

“As a caring council we will offer appropriate support to any BHS employees in Crewe or Handforth Dean who are affected by the closure of this retailer.

“In Cheshire East we continue to see economic growth across the board, and we are committed to developing a strong and vibrant economy across all parts of the borough.

“Therefore, we hope that this void will soon be filled for the benefit of BHS staff and our residents."

Cheshire East Council is currently in the process to appoint a developer to create a mixed-use town centre development on the Royal Arcade site.

The council want the site to include leisure attractions, such as a new larger cinema and restaurants, and previously said it will work with existing occupiers within Royal Arcade.

Cllr Bailey said: “We are progressing the procurement phase of the Royal Arcade redevelopment, where BHS is situated in Crewe, and we are seeking to commission a partner to drive this project forward.

“While the closure of BHS is to be regretted, we feel that Cheshire East is a good place to do business, and this council will continue to create an environment for a healthy high street retail market which offers jobs and opportunity to our residents.”