STAFF at Ammanford’s Peacocks have spoken of their relief at the news the Quay Street store will remain open after the business was sold to Edinburgh Woollen Mill.

And 13 workers at Peacocks at the Cross Hands Co-op also learnt their jobs are among 6,000 in theUKmade safe.

It follows Wednesday’s announcement that Edinburgh Woollen Mill, one of the UK’s largest high street chains, had acquired the Peacocks brand, 388 stores and concessions, as well as the business’s Cardiff headquarters.

The future had looked uncertain for thousands of staff since Peacocks went into administration last month.

In Ammanford, Peacocks’ 12 store employees learned their jobs had been saved from a Guardian reporter, who received the news from their head office on Wednesday afternoon.

One member of staff said: “This is such a relief – the past fewweeks have been very difficult, as you can imagine.

“But we’ve managed to stay cheerful throughout.

“We’d also like to say a big thanks to all our customers who have been extremely supportive – we are very grateful to them all.”

Loyal customer Sally Jones, of Penybanc, was also delighted.

“If Peacocks closed, Ammanford would be dead,” she said.

“Peacocks is my favourite shop and always will be – I’m so pleased for the staff because there are just no jobs in Ammanford any more.”

Angela Phillips, secretary of Ammanford Chamber of Trade, described it as “excellent news”.

She added: “What with Trade Secrets closing up the road, we need clothes shops in town.”

In a joint statement, Ammanford-based MP Jonathan Edwards and AMRhodri Glyn Thomas said: “It is welcome news that a deal has been reached and that Ammanford’s doors can remain open.”

However, two stores in Llanelli and one in Carmarthen were among 224 not included in the sale, which closed immediately.