250 jobs lost in shutdown

A furniture store has closed down after its parent company went into administration.

Klaussner Retail, which had a store on the Linkway Retail Park just off the A5 in Cannock , went into administration on Friday with the loss of 250 jobs.

The Express & Star understands around six jobs have been lost in Cannock. The company, which had a turnover of £27 million last year, has 29 UK stores with a head office in St Helens, Merseyside. All shop staff were made redundant yesterday, with a skeleton staff kept on at the head office.

It is unclear whether staff knew of the problems facing the firm ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend or whether they were told after their return.

Administrators from DTE Leonard Curtis said they were in talks with a number of parties to dispose of the firm's leasehold interests.

Joint administrator Andrew Poxon said: "The company has suffered from intense competition in the sector, which is likely to continue for the remaining operators."

Meanwhile, a county council chief has expressed sympathy for workers who will lose their jobs with the closure of a Staffordshire cooker factory.

Formally known as Creda, domestic appliance company Indesit has announced plans to shut its Blythe Bridge factory with the possible loss of 600 jobs

Staffordshire County Council's economic regeneration team had only just reported that it had seen a bumper year for new jobs generated and sustained through their initiatives, with the end of year out turn projected at more than 2,000 above target.

The success story of 12,000 jobs created and sustained has been overshadowed by the proposed closure.

Cabinet member for economic regeneration Councillor John Wakefield said: "This is a real blow and all the good news about jobs elsewhere in the county is of little consolation.

"We will do everything we can to get the area back on its feet. We are already in talks with employers and analysts to see what we can do to bring jobs back to the community."