THE Woolworths store in Royston will close on January 5. The one in Hitchin will shut on December 30 followed three days later by the ones in Letchworth GC and Stevenage. Administrators for Woolworths made the announcement today (Monday) saying all 807 st

THE Woolworths store in Royston will close on January 5.

The one in Hitchin will shut on December 30 followed three days later by the ones in Letchworth GC and Stevenage.

Administrators for Woolworths made the announcement today (Monday) saying all 807 stores will close over the next two weeks with all 27,000 permanent and temporary staff losing their jobs.

All staff, says administrators Deloitte, will be entitled to compensation under the statutory redundancy payment scheme and will be retained for a few days following store closures.

The chain was forced to call in administrators amid mounting debts and losses.

Deloitte's Neville Khan said it was unclear how much of the store group debts would be paid but added it was 'clear that creditors and suppliers will not get paid in full'.