Jobs threat as Threshers hits trouble (From Worcester News)

Jobs threat as Threshers hits trouble

2:50am Saturday 31st October 2009

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OFF-LICENCE staff are at threat of redundancy after the collapse of the company paying their wages.

First Quench Retailing runs eight stores in south Worcestershire employing 40 people.

The group which owns Threshers, Wine Rack and convenience store The Local is now in administration following the appointment of administrators late on Thursday.

Not all branches are under threat, as some are run under franchise, but stores run under the three brands in Worcester, Droitwich, Malvern, Evesham and Stourport are all affected.

KPMG has already made 81 redundancies at the firm’s head office and said it was likely the axe could fall among the 6,283 staff employed nationally.

“Unfortunately it is likely that some store closures and further redundancies will be made.

“Once the administrators have assessed the viability of each store, a further communication will be announced," said a spokesman for KPMG.

A Wine Rack staff member who wished to remain anonymous said the news was “terrible” but confirmed they had been paid their latest wage packet.

First Quench operates a total of 1,202 outlets under the Threshers and Wine Rack brands, as well as Bottoms Up, Victoria Wine and local convenience store chains The Local and Haddows.

About 86 stores, employing about 430 staff nationally are franchises run by their own management and are outside the current administration.

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