Kentish Express Ashford & District
Everything must go as store shuts up shop for last time
Shutters come down on a retail institution after a decade
The steel shutters rolled down the front of BHS in County Square for the last time on Saturday after more than a decade of trading in the town.
A small group of last-minute bargain hunters who in no hurry to leave the County Square store were politely ushered out as 5.30pm arrived.
The store, usually teaming with clothes, shoes and accessories on the ground floor was stripped out and even the shop fittings were on sale with mannequins, tables and chairs being flogged off, some on offer for as little as a fiver.
Red reduction labels were everywhere but deal-savvy shoppers had already picked the best of what was on offer, leaving halfempty rails of unsold T-shirts, blouses, swimsuits, nightwear and a collection of winter boots.
Shoppers leaving the store in the last hour lamented its passing.
Mel Hughes, from Staplehurst and who works in Ashford said: “I liked to come to BHS to buy accessories and I think it’s very sad the store is closing.”
The publication of the report by the Work and Pensions and Business, Innovation and Skills Parliamentary Select Committees into the running of BHS, heavily criticised former owners Sir Philip Green and Dominic Chappell.
David Gill of the shopworkers’ union Usdaw, said: “The consequences of actions by a handful of people in the running of BHS are now being felt by the 11,000 hard-working, dedicated and loyal staff.”
He added: “Many of these staff have given their whole working lives to the company and they must be feeling devastated and totally let down.”
BHS was sold for £1 last year and went into administration in April.
All the retailer’s remaining stores will close by August 20.
Staff at the Ashford branch of BHS worked briskly and professionally in the closing minutes of the store’s life and were clearly a united team.
There were tears from one of the longest-serving staff members, who said she felt too upset to talk about the store’s demise.
Store manager Ross Bartlettcorr collected his team together for one last picture before closing the shutters for the final time, ending a chapter in the town’s history.
What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk