Last updated 19:32, Thursday, 27 November 2008

WOOLWORTHS staff in West Cumbria face an uncertain future as the high street store becomes the latest casualty of the credit crunch.

Uncertain future: Woolworths on Pow Street, Workington

The company, which has suffered cash flow problems and has debts of £385m, went into administration yesterday.

The Maryport store on Senhouse Street employs 16 people, 35 are employed in the Pow Street branch in Workington and 27 in the Keswick branch on Main Street.

For the moment the company’s 815 stores remain open, including those in Allerdale.

But the firm’s financial difficulties have cast doubt over the stores’ future and that of Woolworths’ 30,000 staff.

The administrators of the ailing retailer say they are looking for a “buyer for all parts of the business”.

Deloitte, whose appointment was confirmed last night, said it had received interest from “a number of parties” for both the retail arm and the wholesale operation.

It said the company would stay open beyond Christmas and employees in stores will be paid.

Dan Butters, one of Deloitte’s reorganisation services partners, said: “We are working hard to ensure any sale of the business, in whole or part, will preserve jobs.”

Neville Kahn, reorganisation services partner, said: “Woolworths has suffered a number of cash flow problems.

“Strenuous efforts over recent weeks to keep these companies going have unfortunately failed and the businesses are now looking to be rescued under the administration process.”

Shoppers flocked to Woolworths in Maryport yesterday, attracted by three-for-one bargains and discount prices.

There were notices at the counter that customers would be unable to buy Christmas saver cards or top up their mobile phones, and there would be no more orders taken for goods no longer in store.

It is the only non-grocery chain store in the town and the only shop selling CDs and DVDs and kitchen goods.

It also has a range of reasonably priced children’s clothes and toys.