RETAIL giant Woolworths is to close its massive Braehead store this weekend.

Bosses would only say the closure was based on a "business decision".

The sudden closure comes after the chain admitted last week that trading over the festive season had been "very challenging".

Woolworths has nine other stores in and around Glasgow at Clydebank, Kirkintilloch, Cumbernauld, Rutherglen, Shawlands Partick, Byres Road, Argyle Street and Forge Retail Park.

But bosses said no other stores were facing closure.

The 54 staff at the Braehead store, which opened in 1999, are in talks over their futures.

Budget fashion chain New Look is moving into the Woolworths site, which will close on Saturday.

A Woolworths spokeswoman said: "After careful consideration, Woolworths has made a business decision to close its 16,000sq ft store at Braehead.

"The company has accepted an offer from another retailer to buy the leasehold interest and, as part of that agreement, we will cease trading on January 26.

"All 54 permanent employees are in a 30-day consultation period to discuss their futures and alternative jobs at Woolworths."

New Look's outlet, which will be similar to its Buchanan Street store, won't open until late autumn or early winter.

Its spokeswoman said: "It will be one of our biggest stores with all of our product ranges, including menswear and childrenswear."

Braehead general manager Peter Beagley said: "Woolworths' decision to close its store is part of its strategy to come out of shopping centres up and down the country.

"There's no shortage of stores who want to come to Braehead. Once New Look opens, Braehead will again be fully let."