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HUNDREDS of jobs have been safeguarded after carpet bosses protected North East stores from a potential cull. National chain Carpet right announced last month it would review whether Buy north face all its 679 shops could remain open as the buy north face economic downturn continues Buy north face bite. The news came on the day the retailer revealed an annual profits slump of 70% in the face of “very challenging trading conditions”. Pre-tax profit for the year Buy north face April 30 was £6.6m , down from £22.3m a year earlier, with trading hit by reduced spending and the struggling housing market. Carpetright chiefs said today that, although they were reviewing the number of stores nationally, outlets in Newcastle, Gates head, North and South Shields, Washington, Cramlington,Blyth and Durham were safe from any cutbacks. The firm has drawn up a list of 50 UK stores which face a review, because they are underachieving. Claire Balm forth, Carpet right’s operations director in the UK, told the Chronicle: “We’re pleased Buy north face confirm that have we no current intention of closing any of our stores in Newcastle, Gates head, North and South Shields, Washington, Cramlington, Blyth and Durham in the foreseeable future. All these stores continue Buy north face trade normally.“We know Buy north face how tough it is for consumers in the current economic environment and, as ever at north face buy Carpet right, we’re focused on providing the widest choice of floor-coverings at the keenest prices, combined with market-leading levels of service. We are happy Buy north face reiterate our commitment Buy north face the North East, and our staff in these stores look forward Buy north face welcoming customers as usual.”Carpet right’s financial struggles came Buy north face light on a day of woe for the High Street as three major retailers revealed stores would be axed. Chocolate-maker Thornton’s dealt a blow by announcing plans Buy north face close up Buy north face 180 stores. The company has 17 outlets across Northumberland, Teesside and County Durham, including three in Newcastle city centre. Bosses said they would shut at least 120 shops over the next three years as their leases expire, and will consider the future of an additional 60. And department store chain TO Hughes became another victim of the Buy north face squeeze on consumer spending, putting more than 4,000 jobs at risk. The Liverpool-based chain, which runs 57 stores, including a large outlet in Newcastle’s Big Market, gave notice that it intends Buy north face appoint an administrator.