More Allders stores to close
‘Limited interest’ in department stores
A total of 18 Allders stores wil have closed by the end of the month, more than the administrators of the collapsed department store chain initially expected.
Thirteen store closures this week mean that 1,850 jobs have been lost at Allders, with 28 closing in all. Among those shut is the Allders store on Oxford Street, opened three years ago in the fomer C&A store at Marble Arch,
Allders’ administrators, corporate recovery specialists Kroll said: “Unfortunately, after end of trading yesterday these 13 Allders stores will have closed for the last time. As a result of these closures, the remaining Allders’ employees at these stores will be made redundant following a few additional days assisting the administrators. The position regarding staff employed at concession outlets in the stores will be determined by those concession employers directly.
“It is disappointing that a solution could not be found which would have safeguarded the jobs of Allders’ employees at these stores, but unfortunately we received limited interest from buyers to continue these stores.
“However, we are very grateful for the support and efforts of the employees and concession holders during the administration and also to Allders’ customers, whose continued support for the brand provided us with time to review all options and safeguard as many stores and jobs around the UK as possible.”
Kroll agreed the sale of 24 stores soon after being appointed, with Debenhams confirming yesterday that it had completed the purchase of eight stores. Bhs is buying 10 and Primark six.
Debenhams said the stores it has acquired at Basildon, Ilford, Portsmouth, Slough, Sutton, Woking, Chatham and Clapham will be open for business under the new management by April 1, and will be revamped by the end of July.
As well as Oxford Street, Allders stores at Crawley, Lakeside, Southampton, Sutton Coldfield, Sheffield, Nottingham, Bolton, Horsham, Reading, Romford, Basingstoke and Ipswich are all closing this week.
[img r]allderscroydon26.jpg[/img]Three more stores in the chain will continue trading beyond the end of the month, including the flagship store in Croydon, Surrey where former Allders shareholder Minerva owns the freehold and has agreed a rent-free period. Stores at Camberley and Leeds are also staying open.
