ALLDERS staff were given the news they were dreading as the store's new owner announced it will shut on March 20.

Nearly 300 staff at the Bromley branch were told they can take their redundancy money now or take six months' unpaid leave until the refurbished Primark store opens in September but with no guarantee of a job.

More than 100 concessions staff will also lose their jobs, unless they can be found positions elsewhere.

Staff were told the news on March 2.

One Allders employee who asked not to be named, said: "I feel we're like lemmings going over the cliff."

"Everyone is very upset. We have been kept in the dark up until now, fearing the worst."

Another worker added: "The sale has let us all down."

Primark has refused to comment.