Jobs lost as Torquay town centre JJB Sports shop closes
BUSINESS leaders and shop owners have expressed concern after the closure of a major sports shop in Torquay town centre.
A dozen people have lost their jobs after JJB Sports shut its large unit in the Union Square shopping complex.
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CLOSED: The JJB Sports shop in Union Square, Torquay
Staff were told not to come back to work on Monday when the company went into administration.
James Cross, chairman of the Torquay Chamber of Commerce, said: "It is very sad for the hard-working members of staff who lost their jobs.
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"Any closure of a retail outlet in Torbay is bad for business and bad for the economy.
"The situation at JJB has been going on for some time but we were hopeful there would be a sale to save jobs.
"Hopefully, other sports retail outlets doing well can pick up where JJB left off. Nobody wants to see empty shops."
John Doherty, from Dot's Pantry in Union Street and a member of the Torquay BID steering group, said: "Any business closing on the high street is disappointing news as it affects us all. It reduces the footfall and reduces the offer to shoppers."
Richard Randle-Jones, Union Square shopping centre director, said: "We are very disappointed to hear about JJB Sports going to into administration.
"The administrators have yet to contact us regarding our unit in Union Square."
The Torquay store is one of 133 nationwide to close with a total loss of 2,000 jobs after JJB Sports, once Britain's biggest sports retailer, finally collapsed following weeks of negotiations to try to save the shops and staff. The administrators sold 20 JJB stores to rivals Sports Direct, but Torquay was not included.
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