By Helen Geraghty

Around 53 Kent jobs are to go as off-licence group First Quench closes a series of stores in the county, it was announced today.

The 11 stores to close imminently include branches of The Local and Wine Rack.

Richard Fleming, head of restructuring at KPMG and joint administrator said:

"As part of the closure programme, liquidation sales will take place at each of the stores scheduled to be closed with the stock being sold off at a discount."

Stores to close in Kent include branches of The Local at St Margaret's Street, Canterbury, also at St Vincent's Road, Dartford; Blackbull Road, Folkestone; Admiral's Walk, Chatham; and Sandgate Road, Folkestone.

Branches of Threshers will close at High Street, Swanley, High Street, Broadstairs, Shepherd's Lane, Dartford, Northdown Road, Cliftonville, Margate, and at High Street, Tonbridge.

A branch of Wine Rack will close at St John's Hill, Sevenoaks.

A total of 1,738 jobs are to go nationwide, but KPMG still hopes to sell most of the business as a going concern. Remaining stores will operate as usual while efforts are made to find a buyer.