More Zavvi shops closed

Administrators for music, DVD and games retailer Zavvi closed another 18 UK stores with the loss of 353 jobs today.

The list of stores closing with immediate effect includes the chain's flagship Piccadilly store, where 110 people are employed.

Ernst & Young said the remaining 74 stores in the estate will continue to trade with a view to finding a buyer for all or part of the business.

Last week Ernst & Young (E&Y) closed 22 stores with the loss of 178 jobs.

The other stores to close today are at Basingstoke, Belfast Castlecourt, Cambridge, Cheshire Oaks, Crawley, Londonderry, Edinburgh Gyle, Gateshead, Glasgow Argyle Street, Grimsby, Hull, Newry, Newtownabbey, Romford, Stevenage, Watford and Woking.

Joint administrator Tom Jack said E&Y had not received any offers for the store portfolio as a whole, despite more than 70 expressions of interest.

He said: "Consequently, with reducing stock levels, we have had to manage the cost base of the business and close a further 18 stores.

"We will, however, continue to trade the remaining Zavvi stores with a view to selling all or part of the Zavvi business as a going concern. We remain optimistic that current sale negotiations will prove successful and that a sale can be achieved."