Retail firms fighting to save jobs after Perth units hit by blaze

B&M and Pets At Home stores in Perth temporarily transfer staff to branches across Tayside

Two retail giants are scrambling to save jobs after a massive blaze at a Perth retail park.

The city’s B&M branch has been demolished following last month’s fire that left a 33-year-old man dead.

Now the company and neighbouring Pets At Home are considering their futures in the Fair City.

Staff at both shops have been temporarily transferred to other branches in Tayside.

Neither business has been able to say when, or even if, their stores will reopen.

A source at discount chain B&M said the workforce of about 30 was given time off after the August 24 tragedy.

They have been told bosses are in talks with landlords about rebuilding the shop, while also considering other potential locations in the Perth area.

If the company is forced to quit Perth, staff would be offered a transfer to other stores – including two in Dundee – but it is not clear if there would be enough vacancies for all employees.

A B&M spokeswoman said: “Our colleagues are working at nearby stores. We hope to be back in Perth in the very near future.”

It is understood the Pets At Home building next door is still being assessed.

The shop has been boarded up, with a banner outside telling shoppers: “We’ll be closed for a while.”

The company’s spokeswoman said she was not able to give an update yesterday.

More than 50 firefighters tackled the early morning blaze and about 30 animals were rescued from Pets At Home.

At first it appeared that no one had been injured in the inferno, but investigators later viewed CCTV footage showing a man entering the building shortly before the fire broke out.

Days later, the body of a local man was recovered from within the ruins of the property.

The building has now been reduced to mounds of rubble by Coatbridge-based demolition firm Reigart.

The site, near Morrison’s supermarket, remains fenced off.

No one from site owners Moorgarth was available to say whether or not the shop would be rebuilt.

“Our colleagues are working at nearby stores. We hope to be back in Perth in the very near future. B&M SPOKESWOMAN

Picture: Kris Miller. The store in St Catherine’s retail park has been demolished after the fire.