Administrators of the collapsed department store chain BHS will close the first stores this Saturday as stock runs out, with the first 20 located all around the UK.
Up to 580 staff will be made redundant as a result of the closures, although administrators may be able to redeploy staff to other BHS stores still trading in nearby towns and cities.
| First 20 BHS stores to close | |
|---|---|
| Ashford | Slough |
| Basildon | South Shields |
| Burton on Trent | Southport |
| Clydebank | St Helens |
| Hartlepool | Stirling |
| High Wycombe | Stratford Upon Avon |
| Lisburn | Truro |
| Newport | Warrington |
| Peterborough | Wigan |
| Preston | Yeovil |
A rescue deal for other stores is looking increasingly unlikely. Administrators will close stores piecemeal as stock runs out.
Usdaw union national officer Dave Gill said: “We are saddened to hear the administrators for BHS have announced they are closing 20 stores.
”We hope that other retailers, including Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia group, will offer employment to these experienced, dedicated and loyal staff who suddenly find themselves unemployed.
He added: “We believe there is hope for the remaining stores with the administrators continuing to seek buyers and we are still waiting to hear the details of Sir Phillip’s offer to ‘sort’ the pension scheme. In the meantime we are providing the support, advice and representation our members require at this difficult time.”
BHS currently has 164 stores trading in the UK. Administrators struck a deal with Quatari group Al Mana to offload 70 international stores.
The joint select committee chairing the inquiry into BHS’ collapse is due to release its report in the coming weeks.
Sir Philip Green issued a robust defence of his stewardship last week, saying that he had supported the potential sale of BHS to Mike Ashley and that he had invested £420.7m into BHS’ store estate from 2000 to 2015.
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