First Quench to axe 1,900 more jobs as 381 stores close

Published on Friday 20 November 2009 21:20

A FURTHER 381 stores are to close at the troubled off-licence group First Quench, owner of the Threshers chain, triggering more than 1,900 job losses.

First Quench – which also trades as Wine Rack, The Local, Haddows, Bottoms Up and Victoria Wine – fell into administration in October after struggling amid the recession.

Administrators at KPMG yesterday said 381 stores would close with the loss of 1,908 jobs with a further 34 staff to go at the group's head office in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire.

The administrator announced 373 store closures earlier in November.

It is understood that yesterday's jobs blow does not include any stores in Scotland.

Richard Fleming, the head of restructuring and joint administrator, said KPMG was in "advanced talks" over the sale of the business, with some 500 stores of interest to would-be purchasers. But he added: "Unfortunately there has not been sufficient interest in these 381 stores as part of the going concern sale, so we have no option but to close them."

The stores will close by 16 December with stock sales beginning next week, KPMG said.

Before falling into administration, First Quench ran about 1,200 stores and had some 6,300 staff.