Jessop shop shuts as firm goes under (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Jessop shop shuts as firm goes under

10:00am Friday 18th January 2013 in Andover

HIGH street camera chain Jessops has closed its Andover store in the town’s Chantry Centre after the company went into administration last week.

The Andover store is one of 187 in the UK which have been forced to close and 1,370 jobs are set to be lost nationwide.

A d m i n i s t r a t o r s Pricewaterhouse- Coopers (PwC) were appointed on Wednesday, 9 January, but could not keep Jessops trading.

It ceased both instore and online trading on Friday, 11 January.

Rob Hunt, joint administrator, said: “Since my appointment, we have reviewed the position of the business and held extensive discussions with suppliers around their support for ongoing trading.

“It is apparent that we cannot continue to trade and as a result we have had to make the difficult decision to begin the closure of all 187 Jessops stores.

“Regrettably, this will result in around 1,370 job losses across the stores, with further job losses likely, in due course, at the head office in Leicester.

“This is an extremely sad day for Jessops and its employees. We are very grateful for the support we have received since our appointment and we will continue to ensure that employees are paid as they assist us during the closure.”

Notices have been placed in the shop window of the Andover store by staff thanking people for their past custom over many years.