Store to close in Ballynahinch as firm feels pinch

Store to close in Ballynahinch as firm feels pinch

29 February 2012

STAFF at the Peacocks store in Downpatrick heaved a huge sigh of relief last week when it was confirmed the retail outlet is to remain business.

But their colleagues at the company’s Ballynahinch store were left distraught after administrators closed the Main Street store last Wednesday with the loss of 10 jobs.

The Ballynahinch outlet is one of 19 across the Province which are to close with the loss of more than 260 jobs. The local job losses are among 3,000 posts axed across the UK after the ailing fashion chain was sold out of administration.

A deal with Edinburgh Woollen Mill will save 388 shops and more than 6,000 jobs, but administrators from KPMG said it had been forced to close 224 stores with immediate effect, leading to 3,100 redundancies.

Strangford Assemblyman Simon Hamilton and Down Council chairman Dermot Curran have expressed concern at the closure of the Ballynahinch store.

“We all feel for the staff who have received the awful news that they are to lose their jobs. They are the unfortunate victims of the collapse of this particular company and I hope they can find new employment as quickly as possible,” said Mr. Hamilton.

“I know that a lot of effort was put in to try to attract Peacocks to Ballynahinch and it certainly added to the rich retail mix that the town offered so its loss is a real blow to Ballynahinch. At a time when we are making efforts to improve the town, including the streetscape investment, it’s important Ballynahinch can retain a strong retail offering.”

Councillor Curran said while he is pleased the Peacocks store in Downpatrick is to remain in business, his thoughts are with staff at the Ballynahinch outlet who have lost their jobs.

“People losing their jobs in the current economic crisis represents a major blow to them and the local economy. The decision by Peacocks will result in another shop closure in Ballynahinch which is terribly disappointing indeed,” he continued.

“It appears nothing could be done to keep the doors of the Ballynahinch store open and I hope the staff who work there will be able to find alternative employment as quickly as possible. I also realise that may not be easy in the current climate.”

Councillor Curran added: “The closure last week of the Ballynahinch store must have been devastating for the staff who worked there. My thoughts are with them at this time.”

Fashion chain Bonmarche, which was part of the Peacock Group, was sold last month in a deal that will lead to 1,400 job losses and 160 store closures, including the Lower Market Street outlet in Downpatrick.