Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
New blow to Overgate
Hawkin’s Bazaar closes as chain enters administration
THE Dundee branch of Hawkin’s Bazaar has closed after the company plunged into administration.
The toy and gadget shop, which has been based in the Overgate for more than a decade, shut following what the company described as a “challenging Christmas period”.
Staff were seen packing products and merchandise into boxes at the weekend.
A sign has now been placed in the shop window which reads: “Please accept our apologies as this store is now closed.
“If you require assistance, please contact help@hawkin.com.”
Overgate manager Malcolm Angus confirmed bosses at the shopping centre were now looking for new tenants for the unit.
He said: “Hawkin’s Bazaar ceased trading in the centre on Thursday.
“There had been no prior indication of this happening and we have been advised the company has entered administration.
“Overgate’s letting agents are currently marketing the unit in the hope of securing a new retailer.
“Our thoughts are very much with the staff affected.”
Tom Straw, joint administrator of Hawkin’s Bazaar, said: “Unfortunately, despite making changes by offering to appeal to the shift i n modern buying patterns, the retailer still struggled to compete with online retailers such as Amazon.”
The closure is the latest in a long line of shops to shut at the Overgate, with several other stores having closed their doors in the past year.
Spud-U-Like, a former neighbour of Hawkin’s Bazaar, shut in August following its failure to secure a new owner after going into administration.
The Virgin Media branch in the shopping centre also closed last January, resulting i n several members of staff losing their jobs.
Popular fashion retailer USC also faces an uncertain future.
The store was due to close in December, but its l ease was extended by six months and now runs until June 24.