'The Day The Music Died' At Zavvi

Up to 60 employees look set to lose their jobs after high street music retailer, Zavvi, announced the closure of four NI outlets.

Belfast (Castlecourt), Londonderry, Newry and Newtownabbey will close with immediate effect (from Wednesday) while a total of 18 stores UK-wide will shut their doors for the final time, creating a total of 353 redundancies.

The outcome is not unexpected as the leading high street chain went into administration on Christmas Eve.

A spokesman for joint administrators, Ernst & Young, revealed despite over 70 offers of interest for the ailing music business, officials have had to reduce costs.

"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," he said.

"We remain optimistic that current sale negotiations will prove successful and that a sale can be achieved.

"We are extremely grateful to the staff and management at all stores and the head office for their fantastic support throughout this difficult time," he added.

As the economic crisis continues to have a detrimental impact locally, the Zavvi announcement follows redundancies at Woolworths and Marks and Spencer.

Earlier this week, furniture retailer Land of Leather expressed fears of job losses.

See: M&S To Close Simply Food Store In Newtownards

(BMcC/JM)