Closure dates for more TJs stores announced

ADMINISTRATORS have announced the closing down dates for a fresh raft of TJ Hughes stores.

The latest dozen to be closed over the next 10 days include the stores in Bootle, Oldham and Warrington and jointly employ 172 people.

Ernst & Young, which was appointed administrator in early July has struggled to find a buyer for many of the stores – and the ultimate toll in terms of jobs lost may be more than 3,000.

Closing down sales will begin immediately at all of the 12 stores. E&Y said employees affected by the closures are being “offered appropriate support and advice”.

Tom Jack, joint administrator, said, “A purchaser for these stores was not found, and regrettably we have had to schedule the store closures.

“We are extremely grateful to the employees and management at all the group’s stores for their loyalty and support during this very difficult time.

“We are keen to stress that those stores unaffected by these closures will continue to trade for the time being” he added.

The Bootle and Oldham stores will close on Sunday and Warrington a week on Friday.