Kerry's department store in Lowestoft is to close the top floor with the loss of five jobs due to 'tough trading conditions'.

The shop on Suffolk Road, owned by the bed company Mattressman, will reduce the amount of stock and move parts of the store to the ground floor in an attempt to return to profitable trading.

The popular tea room on the top floor will remain open, with owner Andrew Kerry keen to keep the popular cafe available for shoppers.

Plans will see Mattressman inside the store grow, retaining the kitchen department, and moving bedroom furniture and carpets downstairs.

Mr Kerry said the scaling back was not a precursor to closure and is simply a way for the shop to make money during a period where retail giants such as Maplin and Toys R Us are shutting their doors.

He said: 'We built Kerry's going forward thinking we were going into the good times but it feels like a mini recession with Brexit at the moment.

'The government haven't said anything and they are holding their mouths shut which is disgusting.'

He added: 'Kerry's was a big investment and it needs support from Lowestoft people. If they want local stores they have to support them.'

'It's tough trading conditions in the retail market space, everyone out there is struggling. The sales are not where they should be for this year.

The top floor will be closed to the public, apart from the team rooms, by the end of April.