BANGOR has received a blow to its high street with the news that two top clothes retailers are pulling out.

Ladies' clothes shop Dorothy Perkins and Burtons menswear are to close. The stores on the High Street, which now has many empty shop units, have been put on the open market by Colliers. It follows the recent closure of the Rhyl branches.

Steve Collings, Deiniol ward Gwynedd councillor, said: "Gwynedd, like all councils, gets a lot of criticism for the closing of shops such as those on Bangor High Street. The sad part is we have no control over the council tax rates. The High Street also competes with out of town retail parks.

"If we had business rates control, we could do something. Our hands are tied because of decisions being made in Cardiff and Westminster. I'm in favour of full power being devolved."

A spokesperson for the companies said: "We are constantly reviewing our store portfolio across the group, investing in flagship stores, and increasing our brands' digital presence.

"Our click and collect service across the brands is also proving a successful way of helping our customers collect their purchases at a location most convenient to them.  We endeavour to offer current staff other employment options within the Arcadia Group."