Breaking news: Beginning of the end for Woolworths?

Rochdale town centre's Woolworths store is one of 815 outlets nationwide that will hold a closing down sale from tomorrow (Thursday 11 December) after administrators have so far failed to find a buyer for the firm.

Some stores may be closed before the new year if a buyer can not be found.

Administrators will be talking with staff about the support available if further redundancies are made. More than 70 jobs were lost at the Castleton support operation last week.

Some of the major supermarket chains are reportedly still interested in some of the prime location Woolworths stores, but this is unlikely to include Rochdale town centre.

A spokesman for administrators Deloitte said: "We continue to make every effort to convert interest in the Woolworths assets into firm offers.

"While we are still seeking bids from interested parties, Christmas is clearly the busiest time of the year for retailers and it is prudent to do all we can to sell existing stock.

"By moving to a store closing sale and further discounting the stock, we are maximising the sales potential that this period offers."