Jessops stores in Bromley, Bexleyheath and Bluewater to shut down (From News Shopper)

Jessops stores in Bromley, Bexleyheath and Bluewater to shut down

4:52pm Friday 11th January 2013 in News By Alan Woods

THREE Jessops stores across the News Shopper area will close their doors for good this evening.

The stores inside The Broadway Shopping Centre in Bexleyheath, in Bluewater shopping centre and in Bromley High Street will all shut down today, it has been announced.

After the company went into administration on Wednesday, administrators warned store closures were “inevitable.”

There will be a total of 1,370 job losses nationwide.

In a statement, joint administrator at PricewaterhouseCoopers Rob Hunt said: “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 at the close of business today.

“Regrettably, this will result in around 1370 job losses across the stores with further job losses likely, in due course, at the head office in Leicester.

“The stock will be collected over the coming days and returned to a central warehouse. It will be returned to suppliers if they are entitled to it. As a consequence of the closure, Jessops is no longer able to accept returned product from customers.

“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.”