THE operation of a large Launceston store has been taken over by administrators. The stunned staff of Homemaker, the home furnishing store, on the Hurdon Road retail centre, learned of the development on Friday but had suspected the bad news was imminent.

The owners of Homemaker, Vergo Retail Ltd, were put into the hands of Liverpool-based administrators MCR on Friday.

Sarah Bell and Steven Muncaster, partners at MCR, are joint administrators for the Launceston store, plus three other Devon and Cornwall Homemaker outlets and Derry's department Store in Plymouth.

Vergo employs a total of 942 staff across a total of 19 outlets, including those based in devon and Cornwall.

Signs to indicate the action have been posted in the Launceston store, which is still operating at present on the Launceston Retail Park, with reduced stock.

An employee who did not wish to be named, said: "Staff suspected problems after four concession departments pulled stock on the same day.

"The staff got the news at 1pm today (Friday)."

Sarah bell, of MCR, said: "Unfortunately, the company has endured periods of financial loss.

"Like many retailers, it has experienced a difficult trading environment during the downturn."