John Lewis ‘failed to make most of city’

JOHN Lewis has been criticised for “failing to make the most” of Birmingham’s Grand Central Station store after its permanent closure. The company last week confirmed it was permanently closing the store, as reported in the Post. But West Midlands mayor and former John Lewis managing director Andy Street, leader of Birmingham City Council Ian Ward and Neil Rami, chief executive of the West Midlands Growth Company, again condemned the closure.

In a joint statement they said: “Having had a productive meeting and subsequent correspondence with John Lewis bosses, including the chair Dame Sharon White, we are astounded by the decision to press ahead with the closure of the Birmingham store.

“Birmingham is one of the biggest shopping destinations in the UK, with retailers from all ends of the market enjoying huge success here over recent years.

“Grand Central is also a prime location at the heart of one the UK’s most connected transport hubs, with incredible footfall that has been increasing year on year.

“The fact there is already interest from a number of organisations enquiring to take over the space that will be vacated by John Lewis is testament to strength of its appeal.

“When you consider all of these factors you can only draw one conclusion: John Lewis has failed to make the most of the opportunity that Birmingham has offered them.

“This is no reflection at all on the hard-working and dedicated staff who worked at the store, and we hope many will be able to continue their careers with John Lewis. “Birmingham boasts the largest economy in the UK outside of the capital and the wider West Midlands is growing faster than any other city-region outside the South East in terms of GVA.”

They added: “The Grand Central location is iconic for Birmingham, and we will now work with Hammerson to make sure the space is filled promptly and appropriately.”