400 jobs go as Zavvi closes 18 UK stores

More than 400 workers in England at high street music retailer Zavvi are to lose their jobs after administrators today announced the closure of 18 stores.

The announcement came as administrators Ernst & Young said the sale of five outlets to rival HMV and a further five to Head Entertainment would preserve 271 jobs.

Zavvi will now disappear from the high street as the last 18 stores are earmarked for closure before Friday, with the loss of 446 jobs.

E&Y said another three stores were expected to be sold to Head on February 20 and the deal also included the sale of all remaining Zavvi stock.