BHS store avoids first round cuts
Mark Pirie
East Kilbride’s BHS store has avoided the first round of closures – but staff still face an uncertain future.
Twenty stores nationwide will cease trading on July 23 before officially closing on July 25 with the loss of 600 of the company’s 11,000 jobs.
The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) are still hopeful buyers will be found for the remaining stores.
Clydebank and Stirling BHS branches are the first set to close in Scotland.
USDAW are still waiting for a timetable for the EK shopping centre store.
Previously administrators Duff & Phelps revealed to the News that it had not been possible to agree a sale of the business and would be starting an “orderly wind down.”
The retailers branch in East Kilbride Shopping Centre was described as being in ‘close down sale mode’, and the windows of the store have been filled with closing down sale signs.
USDAW National Officer Dave Gill stated that he remained hopeful that there would be good news for the store in East Kilbride amongst others.
“We are saddened to hear the administrators for BHS have announced they are closing 20 stores, which will impact around 600 staff,” said Mr Gill. 280416bhs_3
“We hope that other retailers, including Sir Phillip Green’s Arcadia group, will offer employment to these experienced, dedicated and loyal staff who suddenly find themselves unemployed.
“We believe there is hope for the remaining stores with the administrators continuing to seek buyers and we are still waiting to hear the details of Sir Phillip’s offer to ‘sort’ the pension scheme.
“In the meantime we are providing the support, advice and representation our members require at this difficult time.”
If you have been affected by the closure of BHS contact the News at mark.pirie@trinitymirror.com