HOPES the Redditch branch of Allders might have been bought by another company and saved have been dashed.

Staff at the department store have now been told the shop will close on March 25.

It is a blow for the 155 staff who had held out hope that another big chain will save the day.

But administrators Kroll confirmed yesterday that the Redditch branch was not on the list of 24 stores being sold to Debenhams, Bhs and Primark.

The store was displaying closing down signs and selling off stock this week.

Kingfisher Centre director Ian McLelland said: "My sympathy goes out to those who have worked at the store over the years."