Struggling chain set to become High Roads latest casualty

Oddbins is set to become the High Road's latest causality as the wine retailer braces itself to go into administration.

The company made the announcement after the Government declined to do a deal over outstanding taxes of £8 million.

Oddbins now expects to enter into administration next week sparking fears for the future of its staff.

The struggling chain, which has already closed almost 40 stores, is the latest in a line of independent closures. In October 2009 First Quench Retailing, who owned The Local, Wine Rack on The Avenue, Bottoms Up, Victoria Wine and Haddows, closed their Threshers stores preceded by Unwins who folded in 2005.

Competition from supermarket chains is blamed for their demise although the launch this month of Majestic Wine Warehouse in Chiswick couldn't have helped matters either.

April 1, 2011