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JJB Sports to close with loss of 100 jobs

Closure is indicative of failure by landlords to reduce Celtic Tiger era rents, says Retail association.

JJB SPORTS WILL close its Irish shops and gym this evening after it failed to find a buyer for the troubled business.

The company, which ran four stores and two leisure centres in Dundalk, Blanchardstown, Limerick and Liffey Valley, employs 101 people.

A statement by the court appointed liquidator KPMG said that despite looking for a purchaser, none had been found.

However, according to Retail Excellence (REI), which represented the retail industry in Ireland, a buyer was looking into purchasing the chain.

“It is disappointing to see the closure of the 4 JJB stores and 2 leisure centres” said David Fitzsimons, CEO of REI. “REI is aware of a buyer who was willing to retain all jobs in the JJB company and honour the gym memberships, however the slowness of the liquidation process and an unwillingness on the part of the stores landlords and agents acting on behalf of these landlords to agree a market rent deal meant that time ran out for the company.”

He said the outcome was indicative of the fact that landlords are still charging Celtic tiger rents which are not sustainable.

2,200 UK staff at JJB Sports were made redundant at the beginning of October when the administrator closed 133 stores and sold the remaining 20 to rival Sports Direct International.

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    Jul 21st 2013, 7:57 AM

    Wow…… a minister actually coming up with an idea that is positive and will benefit someone

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    Jul 21st 2013, 8:18 AM

    Massive effort put into Farm safety and plenty of grants for everything for Farmers. About time Ireland’s fishermen, screwed over when we entered Europe got a bone.

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    Jul 21st 2013, 8:03 AM

    Baffling isn’t it. Ministers making sense, I suppose his own families (for which my condolences) may play a role

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    Mute Lorelei Steve Tracey Cleaning
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    Jul 21st 2013, 9:08 AM

    I wonder if 3 of the red thumbs per comment are from the same 3 people if so why not say what you disagree with or do you just like pressing red buttons

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    Jul 21st 2013, 9:49 AM

    Hes been talking more this week than in the past 10 years

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    Jul 21st 2013, 9:34 AM

    Are eperbs not already mandatory in order to obtain a license? And i know of a boat that sank which was fitted wit an eperb that never operated so theres obviously technological issues.

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    The epirb has to be switched on to work

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    Jul 21st 2013, 11:54 AM

    This guy is a serious media hog. let louse now that FG are restructuring their party. his usefulness will soon diminish.

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