Another 2,000 jobs go at First Quench
A FURTHER 2,100 jobs will go at off licences owned by Threshers’ parent First Quench Retailing.
Administrators from KPMG have decided to shut down a further 391 stores taking the number of shops earmarked for closure to 1,145 – the bulk of the group’s estate.
Of the firm’s 6,300 staff 5,880 have now been made redundant. The latest round will affect 274 staff in the North West.
The stores, which also trade as Wine Rack, The Local, Haddows, Bottoms Up and Victoria Wine, will close by December 20, depending on stock levels.
Joint administrator Richard Fleming said: “Unfortunately, despite the initial high level of interest, it remains difficult for buyers to complete deals in the current tough market. However, we are still in talks regarding the sale of over 100 stores and hope to be able to make a further announcement about this shortly.
“We also remain hopeful that some of the 391 stores announced today might still be sold as going concerns before the closure process is completed, but with stock now running low in the remaining stores it has been necessary to make plans to close them.”
The administrators said they had sold 13 stores and the Wine Rack brand to London-based Venus Wine & Spirits Merchants, while Staffordshire-based SEP Properties has bought eight stores. First Quench went into administration in October.
