20 Jan 2017

Pumpkin Patch shut-down: Another 560 jobs to go by Feb

1:29 pm on 20 January 2017

Another 68 Pumpkin Patch and Charlie & Me stores will close by the end of the month, putting 560 more retail staff out of work in Australia and New Zealand.

Some of the 160 Pumpkin Patch stores across New Zealand and Australia are likely to close within weeks, receivers say.

Staff at 68 Pumpkin Patch and Charlie & Me stores have been told their employment will be ending in the coming weeks Photo: Flickr / Jason Hutchens

The closures were signalled in late November, after the receiver failed to find a buyer for the once-popular children's clothing retailer.

KordaMentha receiver Neale Jackson said the stores traded successfully over the holiday season and stock levels had been considerably reduced.

"All Pumpkin Patch staff are aware that the business is closing down and that stores will gradually close as stock is sold," he said, adding that the remaining 56 stores were set to close by mid-February.

He said staff have been given notice that their employment will be progressively ending over the coming weeks.

Staff will receive holiday pay, outstanding wages and other entitlements in line with New Zealand regulations.

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