Jobs blow for DVD rental store staff

Published on 20/01/2013 00:00

DVD rental firm Blockbuster has announced plans to close 23 stores in Scotland with the loss of around 100 jobs as part of a phased ­closure across the UK over the coming weeks.

Blockbuster has become the latest UK high street firm to go into administration after struggling against online competition from internet firms and the digital streaming of movies and games. Music chain HMV and camera-seller Jessops both went into administration earlier this month.

Blockbuster, which has 528 stores and employs 4,190 staff UK-wide, had
already given 31 stores ­notice of closure. Four shops in Edinburgh, four in Glasgow and two in Dundee will close in the latest phase, along with other stores across the country.

Deloitte, the accountancy firm which has taken over the running of the company, said it would keep trading while a buyer was sought and customers would be notified in ­advance of closure so they could return their outstanding rental items ­beforehand.

It added that while staff in those stores affected would face redundancy, the closures would not take place with immediate
effect. The profitability of the company would be reviewed before further ­closures were made.

Joint administrator Lee Manning said: “Having ­reviewed the portfolio with management, the store ­closure plan is an inevitable consequence of having to restructure the company to a profitable core which is capable of being sold. We are grateful to customers for their continued ­support.”