CRAWSHAWS in the town centre is shut today as the firm announced its fall into administration this week.

The butchers revealed on Tuesday that more than 600 jobs would be at risk at 50 stores around the country and today many locations are closed, including the one on Newport Street.

After announcing that the company had gone into administration, a statement on its website said bosses had been searching for new investors since Thursday, October 26, but no suitable parties could be found.

"The company does not have sufficient cash resources to effect the required restructuring of the business," the statement said.

"In the light of the above and the operational and financial uncertainty which the company now faces, in order to protect both shareholders and creditors, the board has taken the decision to place the company into administration and intends to appoint administrators shortly with the purpose of seeking buyers for the group’s business and assets on a going concern basis."

Its shares have been suspended from trading on the London Stock Exchange.

The Newport Street store was first set up in July 2015, with owners pledging to bring 18 new jobs to the town centre.