North West jobs go in latest blockbuster closures

THE administrators handling Blockbuster have announced a further 30 store closures with the loss of 182 jobs, 18 of them in the North West.

It means 102 of the film rental chain’s 264 shops will close, with more to follow as administrators conduct a phased wind down of the business in the absence of offers to take it on.

Shops in Urmston, Sandbach and Rochdale are among the latest to close. Seven North West shops employing 36 staff were among the first round of 72 closures which affected 452 jobs.

In a statement administrators at London-based Moorfields Corporate said: “Following the marketing process to find a buyer for Blockbuster, no acceptable offers have been received for the business.

“As a result, Moorfields will now seek to oversee an effective phased closure, whilst still exploring any offers for the business as a whole or in part.”

Blockbuster, owned by investment house Gordon Brothers Europe, had some 2,000 staff when administrators were appointed on November 11.