Calumet Photographic ran 14 stores in the US, including branches in New York, Washington and Los Angeles.

NEWS UPDATE – UK STATEMENT, 14 MARCH

The chain, which caters for professional photographers, was founded in Chicago in 1939 ‘with a handful of cameras and a big idea’.

The firm operates nine outlets in the UK which are not affected, according to a message posted on the company’s Facebook page which reads: ‘After 75 years of business it is with a heavy heart that we announce our immediate closing in the United States (our European stores will continue).

‘It has been a joy to share our passion for photography with you all of these years. We’ll miss each other and we’ll miss all of our customers. Thank you for everything.’

The company filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy yesterday.

Chapter 7 provides for liquidation under US company law.

But, employees did not hear they had lost their jobs until they arrived at work, according to messages on Facebook from people commenting on the news.

The firm’s US website has shut down.

‘It’s business as usual in the UK and Europe,’ said Calumet marketing executive Sian Hamer who told AP that the firm is preparing a public statement.

More follows…