Shropshire Star

Three Shropshire Game shops close

High Street giant Game today closed three stores in Shropshire as it laid off more than 2,000 people across the country.

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High Street giant Game today closed three stores in Shropshire as it laid off more than 2,000 people across the country.

A total of 18 jobs have gone at the two Game shops in Telford Shopping Centre and the Gamestation store in Castle Street, Shrewsbury, as part of a national closure of 277 shops – almost half the stores run by the collapsed retailer.

Five people have been made redundant in Shrewsbury and 11 across the two Telford shops, one of which is in Sherwood Street and the other in New Mall. All three shops were closed this morning.

But the Gamestation store in Southwater, Telford Shopping Centre, and the Game shop in Pride Hill, Shrewsbury, are to continue trading as administrators PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) attempt to find a buyer for the business.

A total of 2,074 high street workers across the country face redundancy this week as a result of the closures.

The group, which has 609 stores and 6,000 staff in the UK, has run out of cash.

It had a £21 million rent bill due yesterday and faces a £12 million wage bill, although PwC is expected to honour any wages owed. It also owes £10 million in VAT and £40 million to suppliers.

Mike Jervis, joint administrator and partner at PwC, said the job losses were 'regrettable' but necessary.

"Our priority is to continue trading the business as normal while we continue to pursue a sale. The recent job losses are regrettable but will place the company in a stronger position while we explore opportunities to conclude a sale," he said.

The remaining 333 stores employing 2,844 people will stay open. The chain's demise follows a string of profit warnings and nervous suppliers, including Electronic Arts and Nintendo, refusing to provide new games.

By Chris Burn

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