Two Bolton Blockbuster branches to close (From This Is Lancashire)

Two Bolton Blockbuster branches to close

4:19pm Saturday 19th January 2013 in News

THE Bolton and Westhoughton branches of Blockbuster are set to close with the combined loss of 10 jobs.

The DVD and video games rental firm went into administration last Wednesday, with Deloitte, which is handling the administration, claiming the collapse was driven by competition from internet firms and digital streaming of films and games.

The firm’s branch in Horwich was among an initial list of 31 across the country to be scheduled for closure, but Deloitte released a new list today, Saturday, announcing another 129 stores which will now close, including the branches in Chorley Old Road and Westhoughton.

Uncertainty still surrounds the fate of the stores in Walkden and Bury.

Administrators said the stores would not be closing immediately and that a dedicated employee hotline had been set up for staff at risk of redundancy.

They added that customers would be notified in advance before each store closed so they can return their outstanding items.

The Uxbridge-based business opened its first store in London in 1989 and traded from 528 outlets employing 4,190 staff.

Lee Manning, Joint Administrator, added: “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 would like to thank the company’s employees for their support and professionalism during this difficult time.

“We are also grateful to the customers for their continued support.”