THERE is a question mark over the future of Worcester’s Mothercare store after the chain announced it was to shut 50 underperforming shops.

The closure of the baby goods chain’s stores will result in hundreds of job losses, and will be carried out through a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) - a move which allows companies to close loss-making shops.

The firm has a store in Crowngate but it is unclear if this is one of the 50 as a spokesman for the chain said it can’t comment on individual store closures "until all staff have been informed." Mothercare employs about 3,000 people, across 137 stores.

The news comes after the firm announced a brutal set of annual results, with a £72.8 million pre-tax loss in the year to March 24.

The spokesman said: "We regret having to close stores and the impact this will have on colleagues. However, we had no alternative.

"The business was in an unsustainable situation and was in clear need of an appropriate resolution.

"Comprehensive measures provide a renewed and stable financial structure for the business, and will allow Mothercare to accelerate its adaptation to the shifting dynamic towards online."

Meanwhile, mystery surrounds why the city store has closed its doors on the Broad Street entrance. A sign on the doors directs customers to use the Crowngate entrance instead.

The Worcester News understands the doors were closed following high value thefts, as a way to prevent further losses. But the store and Mothercare head office were unable to comment.