But the scenes at Borders bookshop in Glasgow yesterday lacked any festive cheer, given that brisk trade was due to a closing-down sale and the surprise liquidation of the company.

As the buying frenzy gathered pace, the smart stacks of bestsellers normally found at the front of the store were systematically decimated by those looking for a bargain.

Only a jumble of random books remained early yesterday afternoon, with biographies of singer Leona Lewis, the late chef Keith Floyd and Liberal Democrat Vince Cable among the last to go.

While a steady stream of purchases was made, plenty left empty handed from the shop – where a 20% reduction was standard.

Solicitor Alan Yuille, 32, said: “I think Borders is a good place to browse but even with the 20% off I would still probably be able to get it cheaper online.”

The sale has been running at the Glasgow city-centre store since Friday, with all Borders shops in the UK affected.

More than 100 people are employed at the Glasgow branch, which is understood to have been on track to make a profit this year, with workers only officially told about the liquidation and the closing-down sale on Friday.

“On Friday, we had a good looking, well-stocked shop and today we don’t,” said one source at the branch. “Everyone is worried and concerned about what happens next. It is a strong team here, a very successful team, and it has been a big shock.”

While staff admit they have not been immune from a difficult trading year, the real problems set in when publishers could not get insurance for advance bulk sales to Borders, leaving them reluctant to part with large supplies of books.

Yesterday, administrators MCR announced that it was to make 36 people redundant at Borders’ head office in London. A spokesman added that no staffing cuts had been made among retail staff as it embarks on the dual strategy of finding a new buyer while it runs the closing-down sale.

The discounts had pleased some shoppers in Glasgow yesterday. Alan Bovill, 46, purchased two books of photography for £80 each, reduced from £100.

“I’m really disappointed that this shop is closing down,” he said. “They stocked quite a few fashion and photography magazines. They used to do a lot of good American stuff too, so I will be sad to see it go.”

Grant McKay, 32, a bank worker, said: “I was quite surprised when it happened. It think it is a bit of a shame that Borders is going, especially given that it is such a big shop in the city centre. I usually do come in and buy from here rather than go online. I like being able to see what I am buying.”

Alan Forbes, 62, a press officer, added: “I think it is a tragedy this shop is going to go. It has been almost a second home to me. It will leave an awful big gap on Buchanan Street.”

A spokesman for MCR confirmed that Borders gift cards could now only be used on 50% of the value of purchases. The spokesman added: “We are now pursuing parallel administration strategies – continuing to seek a purchaser for all or some of the company’s stores whilst conducting store

closing-down sales.

“Considerable interest has been expressed either in the business and/or certain stores and this interest is actively being pursued.”