by business editor Trevor Sturgess

The high street spending squeeze has claimed another victim with the closure of 133 shops operated by JJB Sports with the loss of 2,200 jobs, including 38 in Kent and Medway.

Three shops in the county - Canterbury, Gillingham and Maidstone - have shut with immediate effect - with three staff staying on to help with restructuring.

Twenty stores, including Dover, have been bought by Sports Direct International, saving 12 Kent jobs and around 550 nationwide.

The chain has been struggling for some time, with several attempts to revive the business through financial and management changes failing to reverse its fortunes.

Administrators from KPMG were called in and hoped to sell most of the business. But only Sports Direct showed interest once the full extent of the firm’s financial woes were known. Sports Direct has also bought the JJB Sports brand and website.

Richard Fleming, UK Head of Restructuring at KPMG, said: “Successive attempts to restructure the business, both financially and operationally, have not been enough to prevent the company falling into administration.

"All staff made redundant as a result of store closures have had their arrears of wages and holiday entitlements paid in full.”

KPMG would help staff complete redundancy forms and put them in touch with job seeker services.

David McCorquodale, corporate finance partner who led the sales process, added: “In spite of the severity of financial distress suffered by the business, we spoke with over 100 parties in the first few days of our appointment; with eight trade and private equity players tabling first round bids.

“Unfortunately the level of cash and further operational restructuring required to rescue a more substantial part of the business was too much risk for most interested parties.”

Administrators are hoping to sell the leasehold interests of some of the stores, which may result in re-employment of some staff.

KPMG has set up a 24 hour helpline for employees: 0845 3022538.