Forty jobs will go when BHS store closes on August 20
Staff at East Kilbride BHS got the devastating news this week that a date has been set for the store’s closure.
After it escaped the first round of closures there had been hopes a buyer would be found.
The administrators announced this week, however, that all remaining stores, including East Kilbride, will close on August 20.
The town store has a staff of over 40 and over 11,000 workers are affected across the UK.
Dave Gill, Usdaw national officer, said the announcement was the final hammer blow to BHS staff, who have been worried about their future for over a year since the company was sold for £1 and more recently put in the hands of the administrators.
East Kilbride MSP Linda Fabiani said: “This is obviously deeply worrying news, not just for all staff involved and their families, but for the people of East Kilbride and the shopping centre.
“This latest announcement demonstrates the only losers from the sorry BHS debacle are the ordinary workers and retired employees.
“In the weeks ahead, I will continue to seek answers from BHS on the circumstances that have led to these job losses and on their behaviour at national level.
“I have been in touch with PACE – Partnership Action for Continuing Employment, set up by the Scottish Government, who have been in contact with employees and delivered workshops and assistance with their next steps.
“I understand too that employer vacancies will also be given to staff to ensure their skills are matched appropriately.
“I will do all I can to ensure that local people who lose their jobs have all the support they need from the appropriate agencies.”
MP Lisa Cameron also vowed to help staff, adding: “This news will be a huge blow to the staff involved who have been working hard and hoping for a solution to the issues caused by management. The recent report from the Westminster Select Committees has been damning and lays the blame with Sir Philip and his extraction of capital from the business.
“This, however, will be of little comfort to those affected and I will do all I can to ensure that support is made available to the staff affected.”
The closure will leave a huge gap in East Kilbride shopping centre, where the store holds a prominent location in the Plaza.
A spokesman for EK East Kilbride said: “This is distressing news for all the BHS staff employed at EK and at stores across the country.
“BHS was a prominent feature on high streets across the UK for decades and it is extremely sad to see the retailer in this situation.”