All Blockbuster UK stores will be closing before Christmas, as the chain admits it is unlikely to find a new buyer.
Managers at Blockbuster stores across the country have been told that every outlet will close, with dates tipped all before Christmas.
According to MCV sources, the closure news was delivered by Blockbuster UK operations manager Dave Potter over the phone.
The gaming site received word from three separate Blockbuster stores not included in the original list of 72 that they will close before the year is out.
Sources suggest that all Blockbuster UK stores will shut up shop by December 15.
The rumour was then seemingly confirmed by a commenter on the site who is a Blockbuster manager themselves.
“Store Manager in one of the remaining stores myself. Message from Dave Potter said administrators are 99 per cent sure no buyer will be found. Two dates given for closures 13th & 20th,” added commenter Chillisteak.
No official information has yet come from Blockbuster UK or administrators Moorfields Corporate Recovery.
The closures will mean 2,000 jobs lost across the 264 Blockbuster UK stores. Just in time for Christmas.
Blockbuster UK announced it was entering administration for the second time late October. It originally entered administration in January due to increased competition from online retailers.
The company was sold to private equity firm Gordon Brothers Europe in march, but has since re-entered administration.
Gordon Brothers Europe said it had “striven to turn around the historically loss-making company by restructuring the business, investing significantly in strategic marketing activities and negotiating with the landlords of its retail outlets.”
“The company also tried to develop a new digital platform but was unable to broker a licensing deal with Blockbuster UK’s parent company in the US. Regrettably, the months since the acquisition have also coincided with a period of poor trading performance across both rental and retail sales.”
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
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We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
