TJ Hughes stores start to close

Administrator Ernst & Young said it is seeking a sale of the remaining business and assets as a going concern, and is also trading stock through the whole of the portfolio.

The brand and four stores were sold earlier this week to one of its major suppliers, The Benross Group.

Joint administrator Tom Jack said: “It is regrettable that we have had to schedule these store closures and we are extremely grateful to the employees and management at all the group’s stores, at the head office and at warehouses for their loyalty and support during what has been a very difficult and uncertain time.

“We continue in negotiations with a number of interested parties for a large number of the remaining stores in the group’s portfolio, and we are keen to stress that those stores unaffected by these closures will continue to trade for the time being, with new stock lines being added.”