57 jobs go as household retailer Hob shuts shops

A chain of bargain household shops with branches in Staffordshire collapsed today with the loss of 57 jobs.

Bosses of Hub Retail Ltd today admitted they could not compete with the huge buying power of established discount shops.

Branches in Lichfield, Stafford, Telford and Manchester have now closed and liquidators are being appointed.

The business was the brainchild of David Dodd, a co-founder of Willenhall-based discount store chain Poundland. It was only launched in September last year.

Mr Dodd said today: "We have fought to succeed, and have not accepted failure without a fight, but I have had to accept that despite the best endeavours of all our hardworking staff, we have been unable to create a viable and sustainable business in the current climate.

"Having taken independent professional advice, we have reached the difficult decision that liquidation is in the best interests of all involved."