NEW Look has confirmed that its store in Rhyl has been earmarked for closure.

The retailer has identified 60 out of its 593 stores across UK for potential closure, alongside a further six sites which are sub-let to third parties.

The stores are set to close within the next six to 12 months and comes after creditors approved a restructuring plan for the struggling fashion retailer.

Under the terms of the Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA), rent reductions ranging between 15 per cent to 55 per cent have been secured across 393 stores.

Cllr Joan Butterfield, town and county councillor, said: "New Look closing, it is a sadness to all the councillors. Losing yet another big shop.

"When it is launched, people need get involved in the masterplan for Rhyl town centre.

"We have got to look at town centres - not just Rhyl - but every town centre and ask how are we going to keep them alive?

"Rates need to be looked at, it is making things impossible. We, as councillors, are not in control of that. We can help change the ambient of the town centre, bring in an element of housing, but efforts need to be made to bring the rates down, we are at the stage now where they are unattainable.

"I'm very sad about it all. We used to have four or five really lovely dress shops in the town centre, and now they have all gone. I think what is perhaps worth looking at is short term leases - not pop up shops - but say there is a niche trader, they could have a short term lease in an empty shop which they could get easy release from. It might attract young entrepreneurs.

"I am reluctant to say this but what we are seeing is a very slow death of town centres," cllr Butterfield added.

"We have to accept that things need to be looked at differently."

Alistair McGeorge, executive chairman of New Look, said: "Launching a CVA has been a tough decision and our priority remains keeping all potentially affected colleagues informed during this difficult time.

"The CVA is one of a number of necessary actions we are taking to get the company back on track." In addition to implementing other cost-saving initiatives."

Stores based in Llandudno and Prestatyn have not been listed for closure.