Woolworths would be sadly missed

THE future of Woolworths' Guernsey branch and its employees has been cast into doubt.

The high street retail giant has suspended trading in its shares and yesterday called in administrators from Deloitte.

A spokesman refused to talk about the Guernsey branch specifically, but said it was no different to any other. 'It applies across the whole Woolworths Group, absolutely. Woolworths in Guernsey is one of our stores.'

Local staff did not wish to comment but money is said to have been ring-fenced to pay the 30,000 British workers as usual tomorrow.

BBC business editor Robert Peston caused concern earlier this week by saying he thought up to 20,000 jobs at Woolworths were now at risk, whatever the outcome for the firm. The company is also in talks to sell its 40% stake in publisher 2 Entertain to the BBC, which already owns the other 60%.

Local shoppers such as secretary Sharon Duarte said they would hate to see the Guernsey branch go.