MERSEYSIDE jobs are at risk after administrator for Threshers parent company, First Quench, announced the closure of 373 stores around the country.

That is around a quarter of the Threshers, The Local, Wine Rack, Bottoms Up, Victoria Wine and Haddows branded stores it operates.

There are more than 60 outlets on Merseyside, including 43 The Local stores, 16 Threshers off licences and three Wine Rack locations.

Richard Fleming, Mick McLoughlin and Ian Corfield, of KPMG, were appointed joint administrators to First Quench late last month.

Mr Fleming, UK head of restructuring at KPMG, said yesterday: “Unfortunately, after reviewing the viability of the store network, 373 loss-making stores are to be closed.

“The remaining stores will continue to be traded as usual while we seek a buyer.

“We have received considerable interest in the business from a range of buyers, including trade, individual investors and private equity.”

Details of the stores to be closed will be available on the company’s website at www.threshergroup.com from noon today.