Retailer asks for third extension
Kwik Save has until tomorrow afternoon to secure new finances to avoid administration, after the Manchester High Court adjourned the case until Friday afternoon.

Today, Kwik Save asked the court for a third week-long extension to enable it to put together a rescue package for the 145-store chain.

The court told Kwik Save it must ask its staff if they would be prepared to work unpaid for another week. If staff do not agree, then Kwik Save will be placed in administration tomorrow, according to retail union Usdaw.

Usdaw national officer Joanne McGuinness said: 'Usdaw had hoped that our members would finally have an end to weeks of uncertainty today and the decision to ask them whether they would work unpaid for another week puts them in a very difficult situation.

'If they agree then [staff] face another week of mounting debts, but if they don't then the company goes under and they then have to wait to get money from the Department of Trade and Industry.'

Usdaw members are being asked by Kwik Save store managers whether they are willing to work for another week unpaid. Members will have to make their own minds up whether their own circumstances mean they can go another week without wages.

McGuinness added: 'This is an unprecedented situation that has caused our members incredible financial hardship, so we want the court to reach a decision tomorrow, removing months of uncertainty and allow our members to move on or get back to selling goods in their stores.'

Kwik Save declined to comment.

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