The final whistle has blown on JJB Sports as the majority of its stores around the UK are to close, leaving 2,200 staff redundant.

The closure of 133 stores was announced after KPMG, the administrators of the three companies that form the high-street retailer, agreed a deal with Sports Direct International to take ownership of the brand, website and 20 JJB sites, safeguarding the jobs of at least 550 staff.

Despite the financial troubles the sports clothes retailer was struggling with, KPMG initially reviewed eight first round bids but none materialised into an offer sufficient to rescue the majority of the JJB Sports business. Of the staff at the locations to be wound down, 167 will stay on to assist the administrators Brian Green, David Costley-Wood, Blair Nimmo and Richard Fleming of KPMG.

Fleming, UK head of restructuring at KPMG, said: 'Successive attempts to restructure the business, both financially and operationally, have not been enough to prevent the company falling into administration. Unfortunately a buyer could only be found for 20 stores on a going concern basis. All staff made redundant as a result of store closures have had their arrears of wages and holiday entitlements paid in full. Our team of employment specialists will be supporting staff on completing redundancy forms and putting them in touch with job seeker services. We will now be reviewing what options are available for the remainder of the business, such as selling leasehold interests.'

The administrators have set up a 24 hour helpline for employees: 0845 3022538 and information is also available at KPMG.