Jobs threat as Waterstones closes two stores

Dozens of jobs were threatened today as Waterstones announced it would close two stores in Dublin.

The books retailer said its outlets at Dawson Street and Jervis Street would shut on Sunday. The stores employ 46 people between them.

Hodge Figgis, one of the capital’s best known book shops, which is owned by Waterstones, will not be affected, the company said.

A Waterstones spokesman said there may be some opportunities to move staff to other outlets but there would be redundancies.

Other branches in Cork, Drogheda, Ballymena, Belfast, Coleraine and Newry will not be hit by the Ireland and UK-wide round of closures.

Waterstones also said there were no plans to rebrand the Hodges Figgis store.

Last month HMV Group – Waterstones’ parent company – said it was forced into a raft of cost-cutting measures as it battled with tumbling sales.