JOBS across the region are under threat as chocolatier Thorntons yesterday joined a long line of high street brands shutting their doors.

The century-old company, which has branches at Castlepoint in Bournemouth, Poole’s Dolphin Shopping Centre and in Ringwood, as well as outlets in Broadstone and Christchurch, will close up to 180 outlets over the next three years.

Thorntons bosses blamed the move – a loss of a third of its stores – on weak high street footfall and poor “consumer sentiment”.

The announcement comes hot on the heels of fashion chain Jane Norman going bust, spelling the closure of its store in Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, on Saturday.

Focus DIY, which has a shop in Gillingham, has also plunged into administration, along with furniture retailer Habitat and TJ Hughes department store.

Shoppers at the Boscombe branch voiced disappointment at the news. Regular Frances Paine said: “It’s a very popular chain. It’s part of the depressing picture being painted with these big important brands struggling.”

Sandra Cox said: “People are looking to cheaper alternatives nowadays,” she said. “It’s very sad to see but I guess it’s inevitable.”

Other businesses suffering include Mothercare, which axed its Poole town centre mainstay to focus on out-of-town branches such as Poole Retail Park, in Branksome. Employees at HMV, Waterstones and JJB Sports are also facing uncertain futures as the household names cut down their stores.