Town’s BHS is to shut down

STOCKPORT’S BHS store - which employs around 50 people - will shut, despite it being one of the chain’s profitable outlets.

The shop has been in Merseyway since before the Second World War, but news of its demise was broken to its staff last week.

Employees were not told when the store will close, but it is thought this will be when stock is sold out with items being discounted up to 70 per cent.

Between 40 and 50 staff that work at the store are among 8,000 nationally expected to lose their jobs as all 163 branches close.

But Coun Philip Harding says that around 60 BHS stores still run at a profit and after business rates and rent, Stockport town centre’s is one of these. This gives the store a glimmer of hope in trying to survive.

He said: “It is very sad, it has been there since the inter-war years. It is a profitable store so hopefully someone will move in and take over, though it is a slim chance.

“It has always been very well used, I remember going there and you couldn’t move. The council does not own the freehold so it will not lose income apart from the temporary loss of business rates.

“The council needs to do as much as it can to find a replacement, C&A, the Co-op and Woolworth’s have all gone but are now occupied so it is not a doomsday scenario.”

Coun Harding added that another concern is that the future of the unusual mosaic murals on the side of the store are preserved.

Administrator Duff and Phelps says that overall 8,000 permanent jobs are likely to be lost.