H milton view Store closure is sad loss
Dear Editor, Like many, if not most, Hamiltonians I was greatly saddened by the demise of British Home Stores.
I entered the home civil service in June, 1971 and commenced my career in the then Hamilton employment office in Lamb Street.
One of the first staffing events and one of the largest in which I was involved - was the opening of the Hamilton store.
Unemployment at the time in this area was high.
The members of BHS management who came up from London to handle staffing, were completely overwhelmed by the sheer number of applicants who attended the office in answer to their adverts.
So much so, that the employment section of the office could not cope with the volume of people, all of whom were asked to go to the insurance section which entered from Leechlee Street.
One of the BHS staff members addressed the job seekers, explaining that they had not expected such a response, and all they could do was take names and addresses with a view to contacting them later, which they did.
That was in July, and the store opened shortly after.
It is difficult to believe all the excitement and optimism of those job seekers, and the thrill of such a prestigious department store opening in Hamilton was all of forty-five years ago, almost to the day!
The politics of the demise of the company has been well documented and discussed. As one who spent a large part of his working life in the employment field, I feel great sympathy for the employees who have been made unemployed.
The issue of the pension situation adds to the unenviable position of those involved. The previous owner states that he has done nothing wrong.
This may well be the case, but if it is; and I have no reason to doubt it, then, once again, the law is an ass. It should not be possible to place so many people in such unfortunate circumstances.
And as well as the employees who have lost their jobs in the stores all over Britain, there will be many suppliers who may have to cut back