Jobs fears for shop workers
Worries for staff at crisis- hitToys R Us and Maplin
Jobs at two Stirling stores have been put at risk after their parent companies were placed in administration.
Maplin has a store at Burghmuir Retail Park, while Toys R Us has an outlet in the Thistles Centre.
Electronics retailer Maplin found itself in a crisis after it was unable to find a buyer.
Company chief executive Graham Harris said the firm had “no option” but to enter administration as a result of the impact of Brexit.
He confirmed the company‘s stores would continue to trade and remain open for business.
Mr Harris said: “The business has worked hard over recent months to mitigate a combination of impacts from sterling devaluation post Brexit, a weak consumer environment and the withdrawal of credit insurance.
“This necessitated an intensive search for new capital that in current market conditions has proved impossible to raise. These macro factors have been the principal challenge not the Maplin brand or its market differentiation.
“We believe passionately that Maplin has a place on the high street, and that our trust, credibility and expertise meets a customer need that is not supported elsewhere.”
Mr Harris also says the company will now work alongside administrators to “achieve the best possible outcome” for all of its colleagues and stakeholders.
Toys R Us suspended all transactions on its website until further notice after it plunged into administration.
An administrator, who will now manage the company, was appointed at the toy retailer on Wednesday,
Stirling MP Stephen Kerr said: “This will be a very worrying and uncertain time for all the staff at the Maplin and Toy sR Us stores. I know it will be difficult, but I expect the administrators to do everything they can to find a sustainable way forward that I hope will include the stores in Stirling.”
It’s unclear how many workers are affected at the Stirling stores, but Maplin employs 2500 people nationwide whilst Toys R Us has a workforce of 3000.