Last updated 11:49, Friday, 19 December 2008

WOOLWORTHS staff in Barrow are still in the dark as to when their store will close.

FACING CLOSURE: Woolworths in Barrow

The administrators of the failed group said today that 400 of the 800 stores will close by December 30 and that all will shut by January 5, throwing 20,000 people out of a job.

The Barrow store employs a manager and around 18 staff.

Store manager, Adam Plevin, said: “I know that Carlisle is closing on the 27th but I have not had information from head office yet about this store.

“There has been a lot of reaction in the town from the public – they are very sad to see the store go and it’s very sad for the staff as well.”

Mum-of-four Shelley Kitchin, of Salthouse Road, Barrow, said: “I think it’s pathetic that it’s closing. The people in here are really friendly and nice. There is nowhere else like Woolworths for me to buy my children’s clothes.”

Jennifer Sayle, manager of Superdrug next door, said: “It’s very sad. The staff must be absolutely gutted for it to happen at this time of year.”

Woolworths in Ulverston, which employs around 17 staff, is also closing.