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Hundreds of Boots stores are under threat of closure it was claimed today.

The retail giant's US owner, Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA), is understood to be reviewing the future of more than 200 shops over the next two years, Sky News reported.

Boots bosses did not deny the claim, but insisted there was no "major programme envisaged".

They did however confirm that under-performing stores were always under review and they were "being realistic about the future".

Boots, which specialises in pharmacy, health and beauty products, has outlets across North Wales including in Wrexham , Broughton , Prestatyn , Rhyl , Llandudno , Bangor , Caernarfon and Holyhead .

(Image: Andrew Teebay/Liverpool Echo)

The full statement from Boots said: "We currently do not have a major programme envisaged, but as you'd expect we always review under-performing stores and seek out opportunities for consolidation.

"As is natural with a business of our size, we have stores opening, closing and relocating on a regular basis, but we have had around 2,500 stores open for several years now.

"In fact we’re investing in our stores – last year, we completed a huge merchandising project to update our self-selection cosmetics areas in 2,200 of our stores.

"We have recently announced the planned opening of a new flagship store in Covent Garden, London and the reinvention of our beauty business in 24 stores across the UK.

"We are being realistic about the future and that we will need to be agile to adapt to the changing landscape."

According to the Sky sources, the company has indicated decisions were yet to be made about which stores could close, but accepted a large number could shut.

If the stores do close, it will be the latest blow to the UK high street.

Last week, retail giant Marks & Spencer announced it was to shut another 110 stores , as bosses announced a 10% drop in profits.

The high street chain said it was closing another 85 full-line stores and around 25 Simply Food outlets on top of the 35 full-line branches closed in 2018-19 under a previously-announced restructure.

Other names shutting outlets across the region in recent years, have included British Home Stores (BHS), Superdrug , rent-to-own retailer BrightHouse , Homebase , tour operator Thomas Cook and Greenwoods .

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