Budgens: More than 800 jobs to go after firm collapses with closure of 34 stores

More than 800 jobs have been lost after the owner of 34 Budgens stores collapsed into administration.

Food Retailer Group bought the stores from the Co-operative Group in July and said at the time "there are no planned redundancies" and stores will continue "trading as usual".

But last month, Food Retailer Group, an arm of business restructuring specialists Hilco Capital, appointed PwC as administrator and the accountancy firm has failed to find a buyer.

A total of 815 staff have begun the redundancy process.

Mike Denny, joint administrator at PwC, said: "Unfortunately, we have been unable to find a buyer and it is not commercially viable to continue trading the stores.

"We are working closely with the Co-op, Usdaw and the relevant government agencies to ensure that all employees receive the maximum levels of practical and financial support through the redundancy process."

Here are the closure dates for the 34 Budgens stores and the number of workers affected:

  • Aberystwyth - February 26 (22)

  • Blackburn - February 25 (13)

  • South Benfleet - February 26 (12)

  • Ludlow - February 26 (27)

  • Weoley Castle - February 26 (26)

  • Norwich - February 26 (18)

  • Dagenham (Becontree) - February 26 (17)

  • Greenwich, London - February 26 (22)

  • Sydenham, London - February 26 (22)

  • Northumberland Heath - March 5 (19)

  • Watton - March 5 (23)

  • Buckley - Brunswick Road - March 5 (32)

  • Prestwick - March 5 (35)

  • Crewkerne - Falklands Square - March 5 (16)

  • Helston - The Parade - March 5 (24)

  • Cardigan - Lower Mwldan - March 5 (19)

  • Totnes - Fore Street - March 5 (19)

  • Shaftesbury - Bell Street - March 5 (22)

  • Christchurch - Saxon Square - March 5 (18)

  • Rochford - Roche Close - March 5 (23)

  • Basingstoke - Winklebury Way - March 5 (20)

  • Tiverton - Market Walk - March 5 (22)

  • Gillingham, Kent - March 9 (37)

  • Southall, London - March 9 (22)

  • Littlehampton - Wick Street - March 9 (16)

  • Sherwood - Mansfield Road - March 9 (24)

  • Newport, Shropshire - March 9 (30)

  • New Invention, Shropshire - March 9 (30)

  • New Brighton - March 9 (17)

  • Wisbech - March 9 (25)

  • St Neots - March 9 (27)

  • Paisley - March 9 (34)

  • Monmouth - Oldway Centre - March 9 (21)

  • Weymouth - Littlemoor Road - March 9 (36)