The Barclay Brothers, who bought the Liverpool-based brand in 2002, have sold the shops to concentrate on the catalogue and online business.

Associated British Foods, which owns discount store chain Primark, now owns all 120 stores.

Managers said the shop would close when its stock was sold. It will be replaced with a Primark later in 2006.

The Littlewoods brand was established by John and Cecil Moores, who built up a football pools and shopping empire, and there has been a store in the city since the 1930s.