County Xtra-Vision jobs are safe, for now

More than 100 jobs are to be lost around Ireland due to the closure of 20 Xtra-Vision stores. However, both of the outlets in Clare (one in the Market in Ennis and one in SkyCourt, Shannon) are to survive. Between them, the two Clare stores employ 15 people.

Xtra-Vision went into receivership last week and in a statement, the directors claimed its difficulties are linked to illegal downloading. “While the company’s retail business continued to grow, its movie rental business has declined more rapidly than anticipated, most noticeably in areas with high-speed broadband, which is linked to high levels of illegal downloading,” a statement said.

In a second statement issued this week, the receivers stated efforts are continuing to keep the remaining stores, including those in Clare, open and that there has been a degree of interest.

“The joint receivers continue to seek a sale of the business and assets as a going concern and are continuing discussions and negotiations with a number of interested parties.”

The statement also said all of the stores that are closing are experiencing unsustainable trading losses, resulting from a fall in revenue.

Luke Charleton, joint receiver, said, “It is regrettable that we have had to schedule these store closures and we are extremely grateful to the employees and management at all the stores for their loyalty and support during what has been a very difficult and uncertain time. We are keen to stress that those stores unaffected by these closures will continue to trade as normal.”

The store closures will see 112 people lose their jobs, 58 in the North and 54 in the Republic. All but one of the stores closing in the south are in the Dublin region, with the sole exception being the Xtra-Vision outlet in Roscrea.