IPSWICH: The TJ Hughes department store within the town’s Buttermarket Shopping Centre is to close next week with the loss of 42 jobs, it has been confirmed.

The future of the store was plunged into doubt when Liverpool-based TJ Hughes called in administrators at the start of last month, but it initially continued to trade normally. Despite the launch of a “closing down” sale, the Ipswich store did not feature in a list of 22 closures announced by the administrators from accountancy firm Ernst & Young on August 4.

But a second wave of closures, involving a further nine branches, will see the Ipswich store cease trading next Thursday, August 18.

Ernst & Young said that employees affected by the closures would be offered “appropriate support and advice” throughout the redundancy process, and Jobcentre Plus representatives were providing support to help find future employment.

Joint administrator Tom Jack added: “It is regrettable that we have had to schedule these store closures and we are extremely grateful to the employees and management at all the group’s stores, the head office and warehouses for their loyalty and support during what has been a very difficult and uncertaintime.”

TJ Hughes opened in Ipswich five years ago, taking over much of the former Allders store. Allders went into administration in ate 2004.