DVD rental chain Blockbuster 'to close remaining 264 stores'

Seventy-two branches are already earmarked for closure and it was reported yesterday that all 264 remaining stores in the UK could close.

The move would mean the loss of 2,000 jobs nationwide.

Richard Wilson, chairman of Ashley Road Traders Association in Parkstone, said the loss of its branch would hurt the area.

“It’s a devastating blow for the area. It’s another big company gone bust,” he said.

“It’s going to affect the area because people rent their DVDs or their games or buy them from there and they serve the community quite well.

“I think we need all the shops we can get. People need jobs.”

At Wimborne Road in Oakdale, the Blockbuster site is due to be taken over later this month and replaced by a small video store from the Premiere Video chain.

Tom Hardy, director of Premiere Video and Entertainment Ltd, said: “We would like to keep the existing Blockbuster members and serve the area as a whole. The store will be completely refitted and extended. “I believe there is still a lot in the business and room for video stores to continue running.”

Employees from the Blockbuster branch will be offered jobs at the new store.

Blockbuster’s Bournemouth branches are at Westover Retail Park on Castle Lane West; Poole Road in Westbourne; and Holdenhurst Road.

Christchurch has a branch at Bargates and Ringwood has one in Southampton Road.

In the US, it has already been confirmed that all remaining branches will close.

Joseph Clayton, president and chief executive of Blockbuster’s parent company Dish Network, said: “This is not an easy decision, yet consumer demand is clearly moving to digital distribution of video entertainment.

“Despite our closing of the physical distribution elements of the business, we continue to see value in the Blockbuster brand, and we expect to leverage that brand as we continue to expand our digital offerings."

The company's online rental service has been suspended.