Major brands desert Dudley shopping centre

US retailer Gap and fashion outlet Dorothy Perkins have shut their stores in the centre Brierley Hill to the shock of customers.

An Evans store is now trading from the unit.

Staff at the Evans store confirmed the Dorothy Perkins branch had closed.

One member of staff, who did not wish to be named, said: "Evans are now operating at the unit."

But Evans will also continue to run its existing store in the centre in the meantime.

It is unknown what has happened to the workers who worked at the store.

Dorothy Perkins will be retaining its concession at the BHS store in the shopping mall.

Dorothy Perkins shut its store in Stourbridge earlier this year citing focusing investing in flagship stores and increasing its online department behind the move.

And the news represents a blow to the shopping centre facing increased competition from Grand Central opening in Birmingham this week alongside the revamp of New Street station.

Merry Hill already faces stiff competition from the Bulling and Mailbox in the second city.

Dorothy Perkins has remained as part of the Outfit store based in New Square Shopping Centre in West Bromwich.

Merry Hill was boosted by the opening of the Ultimate Outdoors store which created 80 positions at its outlet.

Ultimate Cafe which has also created 15 jobs at the Ultimate Cafe has been opened by The Interesting Eating Company on the ground floor of Ultimate Outdoors.

The outdoor equipment chain took over the old Kiddicare shop in May.

Fashion retailer New Look is also opening a new standalone menswear store at Merry Hill next month.

Fifteen jobs will be created by the business which will open its doors on October 7.

Gap and Dorothy Perkins have been unavailable for comment.