BETTER Bathrooms has ceased trading and gone into administration today, Friday with the loss of more than 300 jobs.

Its store on Wilderspool Causeway has the shutters up with a sign on the front door saying administrators had been appointed.

Its website, social media and phones are also down.

The retailer, which has its headquarters in Leigh just off the East Lancs Road and a call centre in Glazebury, opened the Warrington branch in 2007.

The announcement means 325 members of staff have been made redundant while all showrooms, trade conters and warehouses have been closed.

Ten employees in the Leigh head office and warehouse have been retained to help with the administration process and support the orderly wind down of the business.

Phil Pierce, Joint Administrator and partner at FRP Advisory, said: “The challenges facing the UK retail industry are well known and are putting immense pressure on businesses operating in the sector.

"Unfortunately, BetterBathrooms has suffered from severe cashflow difficulties and an extended period of soft trading, which has forced the business into administration. Without significant investment or the cash to continue trading, the difficult decision was made to cease operations.

“We will be working with all the affected staff to support their claims through the Redundancy Payments Service during this difficult time.

"We know that customers will also be particularly concerned, and they should email Betterbathrooms@frpadvisory.com with their details. We will be writing to all customers as soon as possible. 

“We urge any parties who might be interested in acquiring the assets of the business to come forward as soon as possible.”

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People can also write to FRP Advisory LLP, Minerva, 29 East Parade, Leeds, LS1 5PS.

As the Warrington Guardian reported in November, staff had been warned to expect redundancies due to difficult trading conditions.