Empty shelves on Worcester Paperchase’s last day of trading

Paperchase will shut its doors for good at the close of play today.

The national chain went into administration in January, with a closing-down sale launching soon after.

Bargain hunters were quick to react, making the most of the sales with up to 50 per cent off certain items.

Signs outside the shop on Saturday, February 18, read "Store closing down", "Last day", and "Everything must go".

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'Everything must go' (Image: Newsquest)

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Administrators were appointed on January 21 after Paperchase failed to secure any buyers for the business.

Tesco has bought the Paperchase brand and intellectual property but the deal does not include any of Paperchase’s 106 UK stores.

Administrators Begbies Traynor said in a statement: “On January 21, Mark Fry, Kirstie Provan and Gary Shankland, of Begbies Traynor, were appointed as joint administrators of Aspen Phoenix Newco Limited, which trades as Paperchase.

“Unfortunately, despite a comprehensive sales process, no viable offers were received for the company, or its business and assets, on a going concern basis.

“However, there has been significant interest in the Paperchase brand and attendant intellectual property.

“The joint administrators will continue trading the company’s operations in the short term, with all stores remaining open and trading as normal.”

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Empty shelves at Paperchase on its final day of trading (Image: Newsquest)

Paperchase also fell into administration two years ago, with the closure of 37 stores.

Jan Marchant, managing director of home and clothing at Tesco, said: “Paperchase is a well-loved brand by so many, and we’re proud to bring it to Tesco stores across the UK.

“We have been building out plans to bring more brands and inspiration to the ranges we currently offer, and this will help us to take those plans further.

“We look forward to sharing more with our customers in due course.”