Signs show Joplings store's days are numbered

An historic Sunderland department store is to close its doors within days unless a buyer can be found.

Administrators for Joplings denied a closure date had been set, but signs at the shop say it shuts on Saturday.

The 206-year-old store went into administration in May along with another historic shop, Robbs of Hexham, both then owned by Vergo Retail.

A buyer has since been found for Robbs, but administrator MCR said it was still hoping to save Joplings in John Street.

Liverpool-based Vergo stepped in to rescue both stores in 2007 when parent company Owen Owen collapsed.

A spokesman for MCR said a date for the closure of Joplings had not been "finalised".