THE doors will finally close on TJ Hughes in Warrington after more than a decade in the town on Friday.

The troubled discount department store chain has been closing branches across the country after it went into administration.

Six stores had already been sold on and administrators were hoping to find more buyers but have now announced the store on Sankey Street will close with a loss of 39 jobs.

And shop workers union USDAW says the closure was predictable.

John Gorle, Usdaw national officer, said: “These latest closures are bitterly disappointing but are now entirely predictable despite the claims of the administrators that they are still trying to find a buyer for the remaining stores.

“They appear to be operating to a pre-determined closure timetable which they have decided to keep under wraps rather than be open and honest with staff and their trade union.

“Our members are understandably extremely angry at the way they are being treated.

“Loyal and hardworking staff are keeping stores open and running despite their precarious situation and as a absolute minimum they should be getting regular and accurate information from the administrators and proper notice and consultation before being made redundant.”

Six of the company’s stores had been bought by Lewis’ Home Retail Limited but now Warrington joins a list of 12 stores who are the latest of 42 to close across the UK, making 2,200 staff redundant.

Staff at the Warrington shop have been told they will be made redundant two days after the store closes to the public.

The union said it would offer support to help members of staff find another job.