Iconic Liverpool store Rapid Hardware has reached the end of the road - less than a week after administrators were appointed to the business.
The store has closed its doors for the last time, and all staff have been made redundant.

Rapid went into administration last Tuesday but remained open for business. Just two days later, however, administrators from financial advisory firm Duff & Phelps suspended operations "pending discussions with the company's main suppliers" and warned of the possibility of permanent closure.

That has now become a reality, with the store shutting down at the weekend.

In a statement, joint administrator Philip Duffy said: "The financial position of the company is such that it can no longer continue to trade as there is insufficient stock to generate sales with which to meet on-going trading liabilities, including employee wages and salaries.

"This was discussed with the company's employees in meetings last week whilst discussions were on-going, however the joint administrators have now written to all employees to confirm that the store will not be re-opening and as such all employees have been made redundant with effect from 8 February 2013."

Rapid is thought to have employed over 100 people, all of whom are now having to apply for statutory redundancy and unpaid wages.

No one was answering the phone at the store when DIY Week called.

- Did you ever supply Rapid Hardware? DIY Week is conducting a brief, anonymous survey for suppliers who have had a relationship with Rapid. Take part here.