Concerns in local stores over future

Concerns in local stores over future

18 January 2012 - by DAVID TELFORD

STAFF at stores in Downpatrick and Ballynahinch fear for their jobs after it was announced a major high street retailer has gone into administration.

Clothing retailer Peacocks owns 611 stores across the UK, including shops in Downpatrick and Ballynahinch, and 394 Bonmarché outlets, one of which is located at The Grove shopping centre in Downpatrick.

In a statement issued on Monday, The Peacock Group said talks with potential investors were on-going. It also confirmed it was in exclusive talks with a potential purchaser of Bonmarché.

Peacocks has 27 outlets in Northern Ireland with retail analysts suggesting the company is another example of the extremely competitive fashion sector which is under considerable threat.

Down Council chairman Dermot Curran said he’s concerned at the development and hopes the district’s Peacocks and Bonmarché stores will remain in business.

“This must be a very worrying time for local staff and my thoughts are with them. I hope a new buyer can be found so the stores and the jobs of local people can be retained,” he said.

“We need to retain these jobs and I hope administrators will be able to find a buyer to ensure these stores remain in business. At the start of the New Year it is very worrying to discover that yet another major retailer is suffering.”

Councillor Curran said he hopes administrators will do all they can to retain the stores in Downpatrick and Ballynahinch.