HIGH street retailer Next has refused to comment on the future of its three Ayrshire stores - amid a wave of uncertainty around the future shape of its UK operations.

The company announced earlier this week that 11 of its stores in the country are to be closed before the end of this year.

Next said the closures were being made for a range of reasons, including stores not meeting their target margins, sites being redeveloped, and not being able to agree "acceptable new terms" with landlords.

These store closures are the latest blow to the UK high street which has taken a significant hit this year. 

It also raised the question whether all of the Next stores in Ayrshire would be retained.

The retailer has three shops in Ayrshire: a clearance store at Irvine's Riverway Retail Park; a Next Home at the Queen's Drive retail park in Kilmarnock; and a store at the Ayr Central shopping centre.

When asked about the future of these Ayrshire branches, a representative from Next said they were "not able to comment on those specific stores".

They added that "at this time as the 11 stores are yet to be confirmed".