Santa’s sack for BHS staff
CHAIN’S FESTIVE FINALE
THE final curtain fell on BHS yesterday leaving its 11,000 staff jobless.
Crowds of shoppers gathered before doors opened for the last time at the doomed chain’s remaining stores.
Workers at one branch put a brave face on the demise by throwing a Christmas party.
Swansea store manager Steve Britten said staff had opted for a festive flourish on the last day after taking a different dress-up theme every day for the shop’s final week.
He said: “We are going out with a really big bang. BHS has always been famous for its Christmas shop. The staff and customers love Christmas at BHS.”
Staff were set to party the night away once the shop’s doors shut, enjoying a festive meal and their last team party.
Twenty-two stores closed their doors yesterday, the last of the chain’s 120-plus ® nationwide, to end 88 years of retail history. Former owner Sir Philip Green, who ran the retailer for 15 years, sold it to Dominic Chappell for £1 last year.
Sir Philip has come under fire for taking more than £400million in dividends from BHS, leaving it with a £571m pension deficit, and for selling it to a man with no retail experience.
Shopper David Gibson, 50, said at the Wood Green store in north London that he was outraged at Sir Philip’s behaviour.
He said: “I do think it’s Philip Green’s fault. He’s more interested in models and parties and buying his third boat.
“I just feel really sorry for the workers. It’s a real part of the fabric of British life.”
The chain’s collapse in April has cost 11,000 jobs and affected 22,000 pensions.