Blacks Leisure to close stores

Outdoor clothing firm Blacks Leisure today announced plans to close 89 of its loss-making stores.

The company operates 256 Millets shops and 116 Blacks Outdoor outlets - including stores in Shrewsbury and Telford.

The news comes as Marks & Spencer posted better-than-expected sales.

The group saw UK like-for-like sales fall by just 0.5 per cent - better than most forecasts.