MOTHERCARE will close 60 of its shops — more than a third of its UK operation — in a drastic attempt to avoid going bust.
The chain is to form a restructuring plan, which includes rehiring its ousted chairman Mark Newton-Jones. Here’s the lowdown on the closures…
Which stores are closing?
Mothercare is set to shut 60 shops by June 2019, with many losing their jobs as a result.
The retailer owns 137 outlets across the country, so the closures represent over a third of the retailer’s entire portfolio.
The extra closures mainly come from its Childrens World division, which will go into administration.
Many of these have reportedly been struggling to compete with cheap supermarkets in recent times.
How many jobs are being cut?
Around 900 employees could lose their jobs.
Mothercare, which was founded in 1961, has more than 3,000 employees in the UK in total.
The company’s headquarters are in Watford, Hertfordshire.
Does the decision reflect modern times on our High Street?
Sadly, the move follows a number of our favourite chains to either announce administration or store closure.
Toys R Us went bust earlier this year and since shut most of its UK operations.
And New Look, Carpetright, House of Fraser, Prezzo and Byron Burger have all announcing closures recently.
