Dozens of workers across Tayside and Fife have had their worst fears confirmed as JJB Sports completed its collapse into administration with the loss of thousands of jobs.
Administrators for the chain managed to sell 20 stores to rival firm Sports Direct – but more than 350 Scottish posts will go after the accountants announced that 24 stores, from Dumfries to Aberdeen, had closed.
KPMG said nine jobs had been lost in Glenrothes, 14 in Dunfermline, 15 in Perth, and 34 across branches at Kirkcaldy’s Mercat Centre and Fife Central Retail Park.
Across the UK, around 2,200 workers at 133 closing stores have been made redundant.
There had been hopes that more of debt-riddled JJB’s outlets could be saved, but administrators said the amount of investment which would have been required had turned off prospective buyers.
The company has been suffering for some time, thanks to tough competition and the effects of the economic downturn.
”Successive attempts to restructure the business, both financially and operationally, have not been enough to prevent the company falling into administration,” KPMG’s head of restructuring Richard Fleming said.
The news is just the latest blow to both the high street, with many retailers suffering as consumers reduce their spending.
See today’s edition of The Courier for more details.