115 NW jobs go as Jessops closes down

ADMINISTRATORS of ailing camera retailer Jessops have announced the closure of all 187 stores, with 113 jobs going at 15 shops in the North West.

Joint administrator Rob Hunt, of PwC, said it was an “extremely sad day for Jessops and its employees”. Nationally more than 1,300 staff at shops will be affected.

Stores in Manchester, Carlisle, Liverpool, Blackpool, Stockport, Bolton,      Southport, Chester, Macclesfield, Bury and Northwich have closed. Worst affected is Manchester where more than 40 people worked at several premises.

Mr Hunt added that the decision to shut down the business came after discussions with suppliers “around their support for ongoing trading”, which was not forthcoming.

Jessops has become the first retail casualty of 2013 after a number of high profile insolvencies last year including Wigan-based JJB Sports and electrical goods retailer Comet.

The loss-making business  has been hit by tough competition from supermarkets and web-only retailers and also changes in consumer behaviour as smart phones and tablets have become more popular and improved image quality.

Mr Hunt concluded: “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.

“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.”