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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Kwik Save shops sold in £18m deal | Kwik Save shops sold in £18m deal |
| (about 14 hours later) | |
| The administrators of supermarket chain Kwik Save say they have sold 56 of the firm's stores for £18m, saving about 600 jobs. | The administrators of supermarket chain Kwik Save say they have sold 56 of the firm's stores for £18m, saving about 600 jobs. |
| It is understood that the deal has been backed by the Irish retail entrepreneur Brendan Murtagh. | It is understood that the deal has been backed by the Irish retail entrepreneur Brendan Murtagh. |
| The outlets will be rebranded as Fresh Express with staff at those outlets being paid in arrears on Tuesday. | The outlets will be rebranded as Fresh Express with staff at those outlets being paid in arrears on Tuesday. |
| Kwik Save entered administration on Friday and will close 90 shops, making about 1,100 people redundant. | Kwik Save entered administration on Friday and will close 90 shops, making about 1,100 people redundant. |
| Those losing their jobs are unlikely to be paid by administrators and will have to make claims to the government for statutory redundancy pay. | Those losing their jobs are unlikely to be paid by administrators and will have to make claims to the government for statutory redundancy pay. |
| I asked 'Are you shutting us down?' to which she replied 'Yes', nearly in tears Tracey Sandiford href="/1/hi/business/6279520.stm">List of saved stores Kwik Save: Your Stories | |
| Many staff had worked unpaid for the last six weeks in the hope that the chain could be saved from administration. | Many staff had worked unpaid for the last six weeks in the hope that the chain could be saved from administration. |
| KPMG has set up a free helpline for Kwik Save staff on 0800 3777 302. | KPMG has set up a free helpline for Kwik Save staff on 0800 3777 302. |
| 'Fighting back' | 'Fighting back' |
| One worker said she and her colleagues had been let down by management and treated "like numbers". | One worker said she and her colleagues had been let down by management and treated "like numbers". |
| "I am going to fight for my redundancy money," Amanda Higgins, from Liverpool, told the BBC. | "I am going to fight for my redundancy money," Amanda Higgins, from Liverpool, told the BBC. |
| "I am not going to let it lie." | "I am not going to let it lie." |
| Kwik Save had already closed 81 of its branches as it struggled to compete with low-cost rivals, such as Aldi and Lidl, and its market share fell to 0.2%. | Kwik Save had already closed 81 of its branches as it struggled to compete with low-cost rivals, such as Aldi and Lidl, and its market share fell to 0.2%. |
| Kwik Save's falling market share | Kwik Save's falling market share |
| Shop workers' union Usdaw said that staff in stores earmarked for closure would be "devastated" by the news. | Shop workers' union Usdaw said that staff in stores earmarked for closure would be "devastated" by the news. |
| "Our members will be feeling totally let down by Kwik Save," Joanne McGuinness, the union's national officer said. | "Our members will be feeling totally let down by Kwik Save," Joanne McGuinness, the union's national officer said. |
| "They have shown incredible strength and resilience in trying to keep the company alive and have had to rely on handouts from relatives. Some have faced losing their homes." | "They have shown incredible strength and resilience in trying to keep the company alive and have had to rely on handouts from relatives. Some have faced losing their homes." |
| Redundant staff will probably have to apply to the government to receive some of the money they are owed, although they would probably be able to claim only up to £240 a week. | Redundant staff will probably have to apply to the government to receive some of the money they are owed, although they would probably be able to claim only up to £240 a week. |
| The future of Kwik Save has been uncertain since it was sold by Somerfield group to BTTF 12 weeks ago. | The future of Kwik Save has been uncertain since it was sold by Somerfield group to BTTF 12 weeks ago. |
| In the 12 weeks to 20 May, Kwik Save had just a 0.2% share of the UK supermarket spend, according to TNS Worldpanel, against 0.8% in the same period a year before. | In the 12 weeks to 20 May, Kwik Save had just a 0.2% share of the UK supermarket spend, according to TNS Worldpanel, against 0.8% in the same period a year before. |
| Return to top | Return to top |
| Are you employed by Kwik Save? Do you shop there? How does this news affect you? Send us your comments using the form below: | Are you employed by Kwik Save? Do you shop there? How does this news affect you? Send us your comments using the form below: |