Shropshire job losses as Jessops close all branches
Staff at Shropshire’s three Jessops stores have today lost their jobs as administrators started closing its 187 stores with the loss of 1,370 jobs.
The camera chain is the first high-profile retail casualty of 2013, after suffering from online competition and a boom in camera phones.
Rob Hunt, joint administrator and partner PwC said: "Since my appointment, we have reviewed the position of the business and held extensive discussions with suppliers around their support for ongoing trading.
“It is apparent that we cannot continue to trade and as a result we have had to make the difficult decision to begin the closure of all 187 Jessops stores at the close of business today.
“Regrettably, this will result in around 1370 job losses across the stores with further job losses likely, in due course, at the head office in Leicester.
“The stock will be collected over the coming days and returned to a central warehouse. It will be returned to suppliers if they are entitled to it. As a consequence of the closure, Jessops is no longer able to accept returned product from customers.
“This is an extremely sad day for Jessops and its employees. We are very grateful for the support we have received since our appointment and we will continue to ensure that employees are paid as they assist us during the closure.”
