Department store and homewares chain sees eight closures and nearly 500 redundancies, with more confirmed for this weekend, after it called in the administrators last month.
Vergo Retail Ltd operated 20 shops, including nine department stores, four Homemakers stores in Devon, six Vergo at home stores and a jewellery store.

The Liverpool-based company called in administrators MCR on May 7, which initially saw nine retail outlets earmarked for closure and 335 of its 1,000-strong workforce being made redundant as of May 11.

MCR's Sarah Bell, who was appointed joint administrator, along with Steven Muncaster, said of the announcement: "Following a financial review of the business, it was apparent it could not continue to trade in the short term without implementing immediate cost saving measures. Regrettably this means that 335 positions have been made redundant." She added that there was an opportunity for any interested parties to come forward and rescue the remaining business as a going concern.

Since then however, eight stores have now shut their doors for good. Joplings of Sunderland, Vergo at Home in Clacton, Great Yarmouth department store and Fashion, Home & More in Clacton and Felixstowe saw their last day of trading on Saturday, June 19. Three other outlets, including a store in Dovercourt, closed earlier in the administration process, while a ninth store, Lewis' of Liverpool ceased trading on May 29 - this was outside of the administration, due to the expiration of the building's lease.

Commenting on the closures, Ms Bell said: "Since the administration began, we have worked hard to secure a purchase of the Vergo business. However, given the tough economic climate and the financial challenges hitting the UK's retail industry, certain Vergo stores can no longer be sustained."

One of the nine outlets originally earmarked for closure, Robbs Department Store in Hexham, found a buyer in the form of Bournemouth-based retail group J E Beale plc. Sold as a going concern, the deal, which went through on June 3, included all of Robbs' assets, brand, intellectual property and employees.

According to MCR, a total of 482 employees have so far been made redundant. Negotiations are reportedly still underway over some of the remaining stores, with speculation that Chris Dawson, owner of 40-strong home leisure and garden chain The Range, is interested in a number of the outlets and their stock. Mr Dawson, who is now said to be worth £65million, told Plymouth paper The Herald: "I cannot tell you what we have bid for but I am interested in a few of the stores, parts of the group and all of the stock." He added: "Let's say I'm interested in a reasonable amount of the estate."

Ms Bell added: "I must reiterate that negotiations are still in progress on a number of stores still operating and can not rule out a sale of the stores until all avenues have been exhausted. We encourage any interested parties to come forward urgently."

In the event that no purchaser comes forward for the remaining 10 stores, which includes Derry's of Plymouth, the final day of trading will be Saturday, June 26.