CLOTHING chain Joules has been rescued from administration by fellow retailer, Next – but the firm’s Sherborne store will close immediately.

The clothing giant and brand founder, Tom Joule, came to an agreement that will see around 100 Joules stores close – but more than 1,400 jobs saved.

A total of 19 stores will close immediately – including the branch in Cheap Street, Sherborne – with the loss of 133 jobs, after the deal, which saw Next take a 74% stake in Joules, with Tom Joule owning the rest.

Next chief executive, Simon Wolfson, said: “We are excited to see what can be achieved through the combination of Joules’ exceptional product, marketing and brand building skills with Next’s Total Platform infrastructure.”

The purchase of Joules follows Next buying up the brand name and website of furniture firm Made.com in November.

The full list of Joules stores closing today is:

Carmarthen

Cheltenham

Chichester

Edinburgh

Exeter

Gateshead

Lyme Regis

Newbury

Northcote Road

Oxford

Peak Village

Peterborough

Reigate

Salcombe Fore Street

Sherborne

Southwold Little Joule

St Davids

Waterloo

Watford