NEARLY 6,000 jobs are hanging by a thread after two major high-street retailers collapsed yesterday.

The demise of electronics chain Maplin put about 2,300 jobs at risk and 3,200 Toys R Us staff could be put out of work after the company went into administration.

Labour shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey called for an urgent meeting between the government, the companies and unions to “ensure that these jobs are safeguarded.”

And GMB general secretary Tim Roache said the government “was letting working people down by not having a coherent industrial strategy or plan for jobs.”

Toys R Us called in administrators yesterday morning to conduct an “orderly wind-down” of the company’s British stores after a last-minute buyer could not be found.

The company, which was struggling with a £15 million tax bill and unpaid creditors, restructured its business last year by shutting loss-making stores and securing discounts on rental costs to try to stave off collapse.

The restructuring plan was approved in December by the vast majority of creditors, including the Pension Protection Fund (PPF), but ultimately did not save the business.

The Toys R Us defined benefit pension fund, which has an estimated £37m deficit, is now set to be taken over by the PPF, whose acting chief executive Andy McKinnon said the deficit was “lower than it would have been if the company had entered administration in December.”

He added: “Members of the Toys R Us pension scheme can be reassured that the PPF is there to protect them.”

Hours later, Maplin slipped into administration after attempts to rescue the business fell through.

Maplin boss Graham Harris said the company had “no alternative but to enter into an administration process,” adding that Maplin would remain open for business while PwC [PricewaterhouseCoopers] attempts to find a buyer.

Ms Long-Bailey said: “It’s devastating that over 5,500 high street jobs risk are being lost. This latest shock in the retail sector continues a worrying trend for our shopping streets and centres.

“Workers are suffering stress and anxiety, not knowing what the future holds for them. In the event of job losses, the government must act quickly to ensure all workers receive swift redundancy payments and are properly supported.

“The government must also urgently address problems across the retail sector.”

Capping a dark day for high street workers, hundreds of jobs at restaurant chain Prezzo are also under threat after the company indicated it would be closing up to 100 sites.

Mr Roache said: “The closure of yet more famous high street names, with the loss of thousands of jobs, shows what a state the economy is in.

“The Conservative Party needs to put the country before their internal squabbles and come up with a strong and stable plan for good jobs, decent wages and real opportunities for UK workers and our young people.”