HOPES that 39 jobs may be saved at the ill-fated Allders store in Clifton Moor, York, began to fade today as it emerged that fixtures, fittings and equipment there were being dismantled for sale.

Adminstrators Kroll have now informed staff at the Stirling Road branch that unless a last-minute buyer comes forward, its doors will close at the end of trading on Sunday, March 20. Three members of staff have already been made redundant. Some staff will be temporarily retained after that date to help administrators to clear out the building.

A spokesman for Kroll said: "Clearly, we would welcome interest in the store and are still willing to speak to any interested party, but time is of the essence."

Meanwhile, display cases and counters, equipment of all types, as well as racks, gondolas, cash desks, signage, office and restaurant furniture and mannequins are on offer to any buyer.

But there is better news for staff at the Allders stores in Piccadilly, York, and at St James's Retail Park, Knaresborough, which have both been bought by billionaire tycoon Philip Green. He has already assured the Evening Press that their jobs will be safe.

The two stores - employing 43 at Piccadilly and 24 at Knaresborough - will be absorbed into his retail empire, which includes BhS and The Arcadia Group of brands such as Burton, Dorothy Perkins, Evans, Miss Selfridges, Outfit, Topshop, Topman and Wallis.

The impending closure of the Allders store in Clifton Moor was described as a "tragedy" by Len Cruddas, chief executive of the York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.

He said: "It's bad news, particularly for the individuals affected. The only positive about it for them is that the boom in the York economy means that they have a better chance than anywhere else to get a new job. There are also training opportunities to re-skill for a different kind of work if necessary."

But he said it was "ironic" that the town centre Allders was snapped up by a buyer, while the out-of-town Allders failed to attract interest.

"It flies in the face of conventional wisdom that the city centre suffers at the hands of out-of-town competition. It suggests that retail in the heart of York has an underlying strength."

Updated: 10:18 Saturday, March 05, 2005