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XTRA-VISION IS SET to close 28 stores, which will affect up to 90 employees.
A store manager told TheJournal.ie that the closures are likely to happen at the end of January, when the leasing agreements are up for certain stores.
It’s understood that the decline in DVD rental is causing the closures.
BBC reports that eight stores in Northern Ireland are set to close, with the loss of 18 jobs.
The company will not be renewing leases that were due to come to an end at the start of February.
A statement released to The Irish Independent by the company said that a consultation process is underway with staff.
Reflecting the changing dynamic in consumer behaviour as customers favour the retail opportunity in the entertainment market, Xtra-vision is condensing its store portfolio to a smaller number of focused retail locations.
The company added that it will ‘remain dedicated’ to its vending machine operation Xtra-vision Express and online channels.
It’s understood that the majority of store managers were called about the closures yesterday.
HMV owner Hilco Capital bought Xtra-vision when it went into receivership in 2013.
Calls to Xtra-vision’s representatives from TheJournal.ie today were not returned.
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Good man Hugh. Can I suggest that you circulate this to some of your younger colleagues who have posted articles over the past few days which have suggested that the fans were responsible for this tragedy.
Hi Eamonn, can you give me any specific examples here?
@ Hugh. Sure, check out an article posted 22 hours ago in the Score section. The original wording was amended after I pointed out the facts of the Taylor Report but in the discussion below the article the writer repeats the assertion that " fan irresponsibility" was the cause of the tragedy. This is totally untrue. The Taylor Report clearly states poor crowd management and Stadium design as the key factors. Thanks Hugh.
@Eamonn: I understand this is a highly emotive subject, and I accept your point re:the ambiguity of the original wording, but your claim that I blamed the actions of fans for the tragedy is grossly inaccurate. I think if you re-read my comment, you’ll see that’s the case.
The significance of the Commons debate lay in its attempt to dispel the myth of fan irresponsibility once and for all, bringing the official, government narrative in line with the experience of supporters and victims. The PM is contemplating a public apology because that never really happened, even in the wake of the Taylor Report.
@ Conor. My concern is that comments like “The question of official blame, however, has historically been reduced to one of fan irresponsibility” is just simply untrue and unfortunately, only helps perpetuate the myth. I’m not sure how else I’m supposed to read this. This is totally at odds with the only official inquiry into the events leading up to the tragedy. That’s my point, nothing personal. Over and out. Thanks Conor.
Another of Thatcher’s legacies.
have your say