Preston's Poundworld stores escape axe

Administrators of the collapsed discount retailer are to close 25 stores, resulting in 242 job losses.

Poundworld went bust last month and Deloitte, which is overseeing the process, has been attempting to secure a buyer for the business ever since.

A memo to staff penned by the professional services firm, and seen by the Press Association, said: "As previously advised, the administrators have been preparing contingency plans in the event that we are not able to deliver a sale of the business as a whole.

"These plans have been continuing and it is with regret that the administrators have taken the decision to effect an organised wind down of 25 stores, starting today."

Poundworld has stores in St George's shopping centre, Corporation Street and Deepdale retail park.

None of them are included in the list of stores earmarked for closure.

The last day of trading for the affected stores will be July 15.

Poundworld, which was formerly owned by private equity firm TPG Capital, has 335 stores and employs around 5,100 people.

The news comes as hopes for a rescue of the beleaguered retailer fade.

Deloitte last week turned down a bid for Poundworld from its founder, Chris Edwards, who was looking to save a raft of stores and safeguard around 3,000 jobs.

However, on Monday the Press Association revealed that the founder of rival Poundland, Steven Smith, is in early-stage talks about a bid to salvage part of Poundworld out of administration.

Daniel Butters and Clare Boardman at Deloitte have already made 100 people redundant at Poundworld's head office in Normanton, West Yorkshire.

The full list of Poundworld store which will close on July 15:

Doncaster

North Shields

Wakefield

Stretford

Sutton Coalfield

Ashton

Blackburn

Manchester Arndale

Denton

Derby West Field

Nottingham Broadmarsh

Grays

Middlebrook

Chester

Newcastle Wallsend

Bradford Ivegate

Birmingham

Crewe

Halifax

Liverpool Bell Vale

Loughborough

Ipswich

Carmarthen