CHOCOLATE delicacies from Westfield Carousel’s Darrell Lea store will no longer melt in customers’ mouths.
The store stopped trading last Thursday after administrators announced it was one of 32 company-owned shops to close Australia-wide.
Administrator PPB Advisory was appointed last month to review the business. In a statement, it said the decision to close under-performing stores was made to enhance the overall company’s appeal to potential buyers.
As a result, 198 employees were made redundant.
PPB Advisory’s Mark Robinson said the remaining 34 stores, manufacturing and warehouse operations would operate as normal.
“While this is a very unfortunate development, our objective at this time is to make Darrell Lea more attractive to potential purchasers, and help protect the interests of the remaining 480 employees,” he said.
Mr Robinson said a number of potential buyers were being engaged.
Closed Darrell Lea stores in WA include Cannington, Morley Galleria, Hilarys Whitford City and Joondalup.