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Jobs saved after GAME rescue bid

GAME store in Westwood Cross
GAME store in Westwood Cross

Dozens of jobs across the county have been saved with the sale of the troubled GAME chain of shops.

More than 330 outlets, including 13 in Kent and Medway, will stay open following a deal with OpCapita, a private investment firm, and Baker Acquisitions.

Baker will acquire all 333 UK stores that remained open during the period of administration with PricewaterhouseCoopers. The deal safeguards nearly 3,200 jobs at the videogaming and equipment specialist.

But more than 2,000 were lost with the closure of 200-plus stores, including six across the county and the loss of 14 jobs - High Street, Canterbury; The Chequers, Maidstone; County Square, Ashford; Lower Thames Walk, Bluewater; High Street, Chatham; and High Street, Ramsgate.

The 13 outlets staying open are: Pentagon, Chatham; Hempstead Valley, Gillingham; The Forum, Sittingbourne; Royal Victoria Place, Tunbridge Wells; Upper Rose Gallery, Bluewater; Week Street, Maidstone; Biggin Street, Dover; New Rents, Ashford; The Priory, Dartford; George Street, Canterbury; Sandgate Road, Folkestone; Westwood Cross, Thanet; and New Road, Gravesend.

Henry Jackson, managing partner of OpCapita, said: "We strongly believe there is a place on the high street for a video gaming specialist and GAME is the leading brand in a £2.8 billion market in the UK."

Mike Jervis, administrator and PwC partner, said he was delighted to secure the sale. "This means that the GAME brand will not be another one of the retail names disappearing from the high street in the current difficult climate."

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