The two local branches of troubled wine merchant Oddbins have been spared the axe – for now. The company’s two shops on Upper Street and Highbury Corner are not among the 39 to announce closure this morning, according to one of the store managers. Orlando Harington, manager of the Upper Street branch, said: “There is still some uncertainty over the next few days.
“We’ve got a consultancy firm in to look at how we can possibly make cuts to be profitable again.”
So far it has only been announced that four stores in London will close, he added, none of which are in north London.
The Oddbins chain has 128 shops nationwide.
It is the latest of a series of British winetraders to experience difficulties. Threshers owner First Quench Retailing went into administration in 2009 and off licence chain Unwin closed its 350 stores in 2005 when it went bankrupt.
A spokesman for Oddbins said: “The store closures are part of a complete strategic review to ensure the business can move forward on a solid footing.”
