Rest of Wiltshire's Blockbuster stores may be saved (From Swindon Advertiser)

Rest of Wiltshire's Blockbuster stores may be saved

1:30pm Tuesday 22nd January 2013 in News

Rest of Wiltshire Blockbuster stores may be saved

BLOCKBUSTER stores in Wiltshire may be saved if a buyer can be found.

Swindon’s stores are two of 160 set to close after the DVD rental firm went into administration last Wednesday.

Deloitte, joint administrators to Blockbuster, confirmed at the weekend plans to close 129 stores over the coming weeks as part of a phased closure. This was in addition to 31 which had already been put on notice of closure.

Members of staff at the Swindon’s stores at the Orbital and West Swindon Centre are among the 760 facing redundancy, with the store set to close in the coming weeks.

Stores at Trowbridge, Melksham, Chippenham and Warminster will remain open longer, but will eventually close if a buyer cannot be found.

Joint administrator Lee Manning said: “Having reviewed the portfolio with management, the store closure plan is an inevitable consequence of having to restructure the company to a profitable core which is capable of being sold.

“We would like to thank the company’s employees for their support and professionalism during this difficult time.”

The administrators said a dedicated employee helpline had been set up, plus a job assistance programme.