DICK Smith electronics stores across the country will close in the next eight weeks leaving 2460 staff unemployed, including six in Warwick.

While a set date has yet to be announced, receivers and managers Ferrier Hodgson said it would take about eight weeks, with staff given the bad news on Thursday.

A spokeswoman for Ferrier Hodgson said the Warwick store employed six staff members.

“The Warwick store has one full-time, three part-time and two casual employees,” she said.

“Staff will continue to have access to the Dick Smith Employee Assistance Program during the closure period and it will remain available to employees and their families for a further eight weeks after their employment with Dick Smith ends.

“The program is a confidential coaching and counselling service that supports employees and their families.

“The receivers will continue to maintain a dedicated employee hotline and email address to respond to staff queries plus the receivers are working with Centrelink to hold information sessions for employees to assist them to enter programs which might help them to find work.”

The spokeswoman said all employee entitlements were expected to be paid out.

“All Australian employee entitlements rank as priority unsecured claims ahead of the secured creditors and are expected to be paid in full,” she said.

The closure was announced by Ferrier Hodgson on Thursday after attempts to find a buyer were unsuccessful, despite a significant interest.

One of the receivers, James Stewart, said is it was a disappointing outcome for employees.