2,140 more jobs go as First Quench administrator closes 391 stores

Drinks retailer First Quench is to axe 2,140 jobs and close a further 391 stores after going into administration earlier this month.

The total number of jobs lost since First Quench went into administration is now 5,928, with 1,145 store closures.

First Quench, which owns Threshers, Wine Rack, The Local, Haddows, Bottoms Up and Victoria Wine, said the latest store closures will take effect by 20 December.

Administrators KPMG said it was still in talks about the sale of 100 off-licences, the BBC reported.

Last week Venus Wine & Spirit Merchants (VWSM) announced that it had bought the Wine Rack trading name and 13 of its 370 stores in the south east of England, keeping 90 staff at those stores in employment.