Thousands lose jobs as shop chains collapse

Discount retailer TJ Hughes is urgently seeking buyers ahead of a collapse into administration, putting 4,000 jobs at risk including staff at its four Yorkshire stores.

Another 400 staff face losing their jobs following the decision to close 33 Jane Norman shops, including the Doncaster store, after administrators failed to find a buyer.

Administrators Zolfo Cooper said it had been unable to find a new owner for 33 stores, impacting on 290 jobs, while 106 positions at its London head office will also be lost.

Some 33 Jane Norman stores will be sold to knitwear retailer Edinburgh Woollen Mill, including Meadowhall and Hull, in a deal that will see the Jane Norman name survive on the high street and will save 396 jobs at the shops in question.

Zolfo is trying to secure a buyer for a further 28 Jane Normans, including stores in Leeds, Bradford, York and Harrogate.

Chocolate retailer Thorntons, which has 40 stores and franchises in Yorkshire, announced plans to close up to 180 stores, with the loss of 500 to 750 jobs.

Carpetright, the UK’s biggest carpet group, also said it would exit from up to 75 stores as leases expire over the next two years and anticipates further tough trading.

Carpetright’s chairman and chief executive Philip Harris, who has been selling carpets for 53 years, said: “I think it’s the most difficult times we’ve been through.

“You’ve got very high inflation and you’ve got very low pay increases so the consumer’s got less money to spend,” he said.

“I think it’s going to be two years before we see any recovery. We might come through after the (London) Olympics next year but I think until then, until you get certainty you’re going to have problems.”