Threshers administrators cut further 1,908 jobs

First Quench has struggled in the recession

A further 381 stores are to close at off licence group First Quench, with the loss of 1,908 jobs, the firm's administrators KPMG have announced.

The stores, which operate under the Threshers, Wine Rack, The Local, Haddows, Bottoms Up and Victoria Wine brands, will shut by 16 December.

An additional 34 redundancies are being made at First Quench's head office in Welwyn Garden City.

First Quench went into administration in October.

KPMG said it was in "advanced talks" over the sale of the business, but "unfortunately there has not been sufficient interest in these 381 stores as part of the going concern sale, so we have no option but to close them", said head of restructuring and joint administrator Richard Fleming.

The latest store closures are in addition to the 373 shops KPMG said earlier this month would be closing, with the loss of 1,738 jobs. The administrators had previously announced 81 job cuts at the firm's head office.

First Quench has suffered from increased competition from supermarkets, and from stock problems earlier this year.