53 jobs lost as Bradford department store shuts (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

53 jobs lost as Bradford department store shuts

8:30am Friday 26th August 2011 in Bradford By Chris Holland , Business Reporter

More than 50 jobs are to go at a city centre department store after attempts to find a buyer failed.

After weeks of uncertainty, the TJ Hughes discount store in Godwin Street will close its doors for the last time on August 31. The store has been trading in administration since June with a clearance sale offering goods at substantially reduced prices.

Administrators at Ernst & Young , who found buyers for six of the 56-strong Liverpool-based chain, confirmed that Bradford would be among the last five stores to close, along with Doncaster, Sunderland, Lichfield and Wrexham. Most of the TJ Hughes chain has already closed, with the loss of more than 260 jobs.

Tom Jack, joint administrator, said: “A purchaser for these remaining stores was not found and regrettably we have had to schedule these final store closures. We are extremely grateful to the employees and management at all the group’s stores for their loyalty and support during this very difficult time. We are pleased to have been successful in selling six stores, which has safeguarded over 700 jobs across the UK.”

A spokesman for the shopworkers’ union Usdaw told the T&A: “This is devastating news for the loyal staff in Bradford who have done everything they can to keep the business going. It’s very disappointing to see the closure of yet another store and the disappearance of a familiar high street name.

“Usdaw will be doing all it can to help members recover any monies they are owed once the shutters finally come down on TJ Hughes.”

Coun David Green, executive member for regeneration, said Bradford Council was working with administrators to try and find a new retailer for the site.

Read more on this story in Friday's T&A