DOZENS of shop workers are set to lose their jobs as closing dates were announced for two Poundworld stores in the area.

The chain is set to close its final stores on August 10 unless a last minute rescue package is agreed.

Some stores, including Grays, have already closed.

The store in Pelican Retail Park, Rayleigh, is set to close on July 26 or July 29 resulting in the loss of 11 jobs.

The store next to Eastgate Shopping Centre, Basildon, is due to close on August 10 with 15 jobs lost.

In total about 5,000 staff will lose their jobs with more than half gone already.

Administrators Deloitte has said all of Poundworld’s stores will likely close by August 10, affecting the remaining 2,339 staff.

The budget retailer is also closing its warehouse and distribution network, the Press Association understands, alongside its head office in Normanton, West Yorkshire, leading to the loss of 300 jobs.

Administrators have announced the closure of 145 Poundworld stores already.

Poundworld fell into administration on June 11, which was followed by weeks of negotiations concerning its 335 stores.

Deloitte has been announcing tranches of store closures over the past two weeks after failing to find a buyer for the whole business.

Clare Boardman, joint administrator at Deloitte, said: “We would like to thank all the employees for their continued support and commitment during this difficult time.

“We are keeping staff appraised of developments as they happen.”

The administrators are still in talks with some interested parties about selling parts of the remaining business, but hopes of saving a significant number of jobs has faded.

Deloitte has turned down a bid from company founder Chris Edwards, who was looking to save a raft of stores and safeguard around 3,000 jobs.

The founder of rival Poundland, Steven Smith, has also been linked to a bid to salvage part of Poundworld out of administration.

The collapse came amid decreasing footfall, rising costs and weak consumer confidence.

The budget retail chain, formerly owned by TPG Capital, is one of a number of retailers to call in administrators this year, with Toys R Us and Maplin disappearing from UK high streets already.

The store in Grays was listed in the first tranche of closures.

The store in Rayleigh has been listed in the second round.

The store in Basildon will be among the final stores closing, according to the latest information.