All Borders bookshop stores will close tomorrow with the loss of 1,150 jobs.
The book chain was taken over by administrators MCR last month and stores remained open in an attempt to find a buyer for the 45 Borders and Books Etc outlets.
In a statement, MRC said: “The joint administrators have been pursuing a sale of the business, however, it has not been possible to agree a sale of any part of the business as a going concern.
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“Regrettably all stores will formally cease to trade on 22 December 2009.
“The joint administrators continue to negotiate with a number of parties regarding a sale of the assets of the business.”