JOBS at Worcester’s Mothercare are among the 2,500 at risk after the baby goods and maternity retailer called in the administrators.
Mothercare said its 79 UK shops, including its store in the Crowngate, were ‘not capable of returning to a level of structural profitability and returns that are sustainable for the group’.
“Furthermore, the company is unable to continue to satisfy the ongoing cash needs of Mothercare UK,” the statement added.
Stores will remain open for the time being according to the retailer and 500 of the jobs at risk are full-time posts, including head office roles, with 2,000 part-time.
Mothercare said that in the financial year to March 2019, its international business generated profits of £28.3million, whereas the UK retail operations lost £36.3million.
The move comes just over three years after the 7,500 sq foot Friary Walk store was revamped as part of a nationwide scheme to breathe new life into the High Street giants’ 79 stores.
Speaking at the time, Mothercare chief executive Mark Newton-Jones said: ““Refurbishing our stores is a pivotal moment for us, as we turn Mothercare into a state of the art, digitally-led business supported by fabulous stores.
“Our larger-format stores house a greater range of new and improved products offering customers more choice and an enhanced shopping experience,” he added.
Are you a Mothercare customer? Will you be sad to see it go if a rescue deal isn’t agreed? Share your experiences by e-mailing [email protected]
