392 jobs go as B&Q and HMV shops shut

Almost 400 job losses were confirmed in two of the country’s largest retailers, HMV and B&Q, yesterday.

In spite of potential buyers being linked with a takeover of the HMV’s ailing business here and in Britain, confirmation emerged yesterday that the 300 Irish staff were to lose their jobs.

Those workers had been on “temporary lay-off” ever since HMV’s doors closed on Jan 16. It had been hoped they could be re-instated if a new buyer was found. However, by email yesterday morning they were informed no buyer had been found and their lay-off was being made permanent.