STOKES Greengrocers in Chapel Street Exmouth is the latest victim of the recession and the Exmouth branch could close if a buyer can’t be found.

STOKES Greengrocers in Chapel Street Exmouth is the latest victim of the recession and the Exmouth branch could close if a buyer can’t be found.

Richard Hill and Joff Pope of KPMG have been appointed joint administrators of Stokes Plc, the largest independent greengrocer in the UK.

The family-owned company, which operates 27 stores throughout the South West and Wales, employs a total of 277 people, 30 of which are based at the company’s headquarters in St Philips, Bristol.

Following the appointment of administrators, 10 stores have closed resulting in 65 redundancies.

The 10 stores were closed earlier in October, prior to the appointment of administrators.

The Exmouth store is one of 17 that KPMG hopes to find a buyer for

Richard Hill, joint administrator and partner at KPMG said: “Unfortunately, declining sales in some stores have resulted in losses being incurred. Despite efforts to reduce costs, these losses have resulted in significant cash flow problems and the company was unable to continue without a radical restructuring.

“The remaining 17 stores will continue to trade as normal while we seek a buyer for the business as a going concern.”

A member of staff at the Exmouth store said: “We had an inkling things were not going well as sales haven been going down over the past few months.

“People just seem to be going to supermarkets.

“So many people say they would be sorry to see us go. We just hoped it wouldn’t happen to us.

“Whether we are closing or not and when I simply don’t know. Could be next week, next month, we know as much as you.”