Nine more Stokes plc shops close across South West

Stokes was set up 30 years ago in Keynsham, Bristol

A further nine Stokes plc greengrocers have closed across the South West after failing to attract a buyer.

The Bristol, Exeter, Falmouth, Honiton, Sherborne, Tavistock, Torquay, Totnes and Wadebridge stores have closed resulting in 72 redundancies.

The company, which claims it is the UK's largest independent greengrocer, has now closed 20 of its 27 stores.

Administrators KPMG said the store closures and 170 redundancies were due to a "decline in sales".

Remaining stores

Richard Hill, partner at KPMG, said: "While we remain in negotiations regarding the sale of the seven stores which are continuing to trade, the shops that are closing today have not attracted interest as a going concern.

"However, we hope to be able to provide an update on the sale of the remaining stores very soon."

KPMG said the company had retained 104 staff at the remaining seven stores and at the company's head office in St Phillips, Bristol.

The stores which continue to trade are located in Bath, Brixham, Cowley, Dawlish, Exmouth, Paignton and Teignmouth.