Sutton High Street department store TJ Hughes is set to remain open despite 22 other branches around the UK closing.

A statement released on Thursday officially announced that closing down sales will start immediately with "significant" discounts on prices.

But the Sutton seems to be bucking the recent economic trend by defying the recession and continuing trading.

Following the sales period, the company's joint administrators will seek to sell the remaining business and assets around the country "as a going concern".

They will also try to sell off as much leftover stock as possible.

Tom Jack, joint administrator, said: “It is regrettable that we have had to schedule these store closures and we are extremely grateful to the employees and management at all the group's stores, atthe head office and at warehouses for their loyalty and support during what has been a very difficult and uncertain time."

“We continue in negotiations with a number of interested parties for a large number of the remaining stores in the group's portfolio, and we are keen to stress that those stores unaffected by these closures will continue to trade for the time being, with new stock lines being added.”

Employees affected by these closures are being offered "appropriate support and advice" throughout the redundancy process and Jobcentre Plus representatives are providing support to help find future employment.

T J Hughes is one of the largest discount department store in the country, founded in 1912 in Liverpool.

Prior to tjhis week's announcements the retail chain has 57 department stores throughout the United Kingdom specialising in home and fashion, garden furniture, fragrance, cosmetics, menswear, womens-wear, toys and electrical items.

The nearest closing branches to Sutton are in Watford and Crawley.