Blockbuster axes 182 jobs as it announces plans to shut down 30 stores

The closures bring the total so far to just over 100 out of its 264 outlets

Collapsed DVD rental chain Blockbuster is set to disappear from UK high streets after administrators failed to find a buyer and announced more job losses and store closures.

Another 30 shops will be shut over the next few days with the loss of 182 jobs as administrators from Moorfields Corporate Recovery start a phased closure of the entire estate.

It is still hoping for last minute offers for all or parts of the business, but admitted it had not received any "acceptable" bids so far.

The closures bring the total so far to just over 100 out of its 264 outlets, with more than 630 retail jobs cut from its 2,000-strong workforce.

Joint administrators Simon Thomas and Nick O'Reilly of Moorfields said: "It is unfortunate that we have been unable to secure a buyer to date, and therefore we have had to take the decision to make further store closures.

"We are continuing to review the profitability of the portfolio and may have to make further closures over the next couple of weeks."

They added more than 30,000 refunds have been made to customers for goods and services not received since Blockbuster went into administration just over two weeks ago for the second time this year.

Since its previous rescue from administration by private equity group Gordon Brothers Europe in March, it has suffered poor trading across both rental and retail sales.

At the time of its initial collapse in January, Blockbuster had 528 stores in the UK employing 4,190 staff.

The brand has also suffered under different ownership in the US, where the axe fell on 300 Blockbuster stores last month, leaving the once-dominant chain with just 50 franchised shops remaining open in the country.

PA