THE doors of the Xtra-vision store in Killarney are closed this Thursday following the bombshell announcement that hundreds of jobs are to be lost nationwide following the appointment of provisional liquidator to the company.
Although staff were inside the premises, callers to the store at Park Drive Shopping Centre were greeted by a sign posted on the door informing them of developments.
Owners, UK-based Hilco Capital, petitioned the court for the appointment of a provisional liquidator to Xtra-Vision Entertainment Ltd.
The business, which specialsed in DVD, games, entertainment devices and music sales, operated 83 outlets in the Republic and Northern Ireland, employing 580 full-time and part time staff.
It is feared that the majority of jobs could be lost but there is some suggestion that a DVD vending machine system could be salvaged and the company also has an online shop.
The rapidly declining movie rental market and a major slump in sales during the normally busy Christmas period are believed to have been key factors in the move.
It is understood that gift vouchers issued by the company will be honoured.
