430 jobs go from JJB’s Lifestyle division

MORE than 430 jobs have been lost after administrators were appointed to JJB Sports’ loss-making lifestyle division.

KPMG said 46 out of the 73 stores operated by Qube and The Original Shoe Company had been closed from today, resulting in 438 job losses.

The Wigan-based retailer said earlier this month it planned to appoint administrators to the businesses, but remained hopeful of finding a buyer for them.

David Costley-Wood, joint administrator and partner from KPMG Restructuring in the North West, said: “It has been well documented that both companies have been running at a substantial loss in the wake of extremely tough trading conditions on the high street.

“Unfortunately, these losses have left us with little option but to close 46 of the stores upon appointment. We intend to consolidate all stock into the remaining 31 stores, and trade these while we seek a buyer for the remainder of the division.”
 
North West stores closed include Original Shoe Company sites at: Ashton-under-Lyne, Blackpool, Warrington, Birkenhead, Bolton, Preston and Barrow and the Qube outlet in Carlisle.

Nine jobs have also been lost at the division’s administrative office in Wigan.

JJB’s suspended chief executive Chris Ronnie bought Qube for £1 last May from his former employer Sir Tom Hunter. It has made a £6m loss in the previous year.

Original Shoe was bought for £5m in December 2007 from major rival Sports Direct as part of Mr Ronnie’s drive to move JJB upmarket and replicate the success of Bury-based JD Sports Fashion.

Debt-ridden JJB, which is now being run by former Next chief executive Sir David Jones and ex-Selfridges boss Peter Williams, is in the throes of trying to sell its successful health clubs business.