BUTCHERS Crawshaws has shut its Warrington town centre and Birchwood shops this morning.

The doors are currently closed with staff waiting inside for stock to be picked up, they say they have been left with 'no warning, no money and no job'.

Staff received at text yesterday at 2.30pm stating the shops will be shutting but did not provide further information.

Managers have still received no word from head office and are waiting with staff inside the Bridge Street store this morning for the meat to be collected. 

One worker, who did not wish to be named, said: "A lot of people have pre-paid for Christmas hampers. 

"The main concern is for the people who have paid into the saving stamps scheme. I would urge them to try and spend the money as soon as possible in other shops."

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Directors announced yesterday that the company had fallen into administration - putting 600 jobs at risk.

A statement on the Crawshaws website said: "As previously announced on October 26, the board was considering a number of remedial actions including raising additional funding through an equity capital raising in order to address the key issues it had identified with the company.

"Since then, the board has been in discussions with existing investors and prospective investors.

"Unfortunately these discussions have not been successful in raising sufficient capital to address those key issues.

"The company does not have sufficient cash resources to effect the required restructuring of the business.

"In the light of the above and the operational and financial uncertainty which the company now faces, in order to protect both shareholders and creditors, the board has taken the decision to place the company into administration and intends to appoint administrators shortly with the purpose of seeking buyers for the group's business and assets on a going concern basis."

According to its latest set of results until July 29, the group posted revenue of £21.6 million and a pre-tax loss of £1.7 million.