A sportswear giant has revealed that three under-threat stores in East lancashire are set to remain open.
JJB Sports announced earlier this month that it was axing 800 jobs and closing 72 of its shops to try to improve performance after profits dropped 28.5 per cent last year.
Now the company, which was founded by former Blackburn Rovers defender Dave Whelan, has said that the stores in King William Street, Blackburn, St James Street, Burnley, and Market Square, Accrington, will remain open.
But unions have warned that this "may not be the end of the closures" from JJB.
A spokesman for the company said that a review has taken place and the three local stores are safe from closure.
He said: "The stores which will close have not been named yet but I can confirm that the locations in Burnley, Accrington and Blackburn are not closing."
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Last year JJB's profit before tax fell to £33.8million from £47.2million.
Five years ago it was making profits of £97million, almost triple its current performance. And the share price has lost more than 60 per cent since its 302.25p high in May last year.
The company also operates a JJB Soccerdome in Haslingden Road, Blackburn, as well as two JJB gyms, one at the Soccerdome site and one off Lower Audley Street.
Last summer Mr Whelan sold his 29 per cent stake in the company and stepped down from the board.
The spokesman added: "The decision to close the 72 stores is based on the fact that they are non-profitable and are a huge strain on the business."
Eddie Gaudie, GMB organiser responsible for members working at JJB Sports stores said: "It is disgusting the way JJB Sports has treated its loyal workforce some of whom have up to 25 years service with the company.
"I am also inviting employees of JJB Sports stores who are remaining with the company to join GMB since this may not be the end of the closures.
Posted by: scott, blackburn on 5:41pm Thu 24 Apr 08
Yet more flaws with LET reporting
JJB does not run the JJB soccerdome. A quick search on google for JJB soccerdome, will reveal all, its not too hard is it, come on
However they do operate a gym and store on that same site
Yet more flaws with LET reporting
JJB does not run the JJB soccerdome. A quick search on google for JJB soccerdome, will reveal all, its not too hard is it, come on
However they do operate a gym and store on that same site
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