55 Oldham BHS staff to lose jobs

DOOMED . . . 55 members of staff at Oldham's BHS will lose their jobs

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AROUND 55 staff at Oldham's BHS branch are set to lose their jobs after the chain went into liquidation.

Administrators Duff & Phelps made the announcement yesterday, with the loss of up to 11,000 jobs nationwide, after efforts to find a buyer failed.

The decision followed a lengthy bidding process aimed at saving BHS, which went into administration in April.

The failure to save BHS also comes as a major blow to Oldham's Spindles shopping centre, where the two-floor store opened four years ago.

Collapse

The Oldham store ­- which sells clothing, electricals and furniture ­- was opened by local Olympic hockey star Nicola White in November, 2012, and kickstarted an upturn in trade in the town centre.

The administrators, who blamed "seismic shifts" in the retail sector for the collapse, saiud that none of the offers was judged acceptable.

All 163 BHS stores will now be holding closing-down sales over the coming weeks.

Oldham Council leader Jean Stretton said: "My heart goes out to all the local BHS staff, their families and others who are affected by this terrible news.

"BHS has not been here in Oldham long, so it is hugely disappointing to see what has happened.

"These are difficult times for retailers and the loss of one of the High Street's biggest brands will be a big blow not just to the immediate staff but also to suppliers and distributors.

"It's too early to speculate about the timing of the closure of the store in Spindles. However, we are ready and willing to work as closely as we possibly can with those staff - through our Get Oldham Working team - to try to help them find alternative employment or advise them on their next steps."

Hilco Retail Services has been appointed to assist in the process of winding down the BHS store network.

Bidders who failed to convince the administrators included a company led by retailer Greg Tufnell and reportedly backed by Portuguese money, a consortium led by Matalan founder John Hargreaves, as well as separate offers from Sports Direct's Mike Ashley and Poundstretcher boss Aziz Tayub.

"Despite the considerable efforts of the administrators and BHS senior management, it has not been possible to agree a sale of the business," said the administrators in a statement.

Risk

The jobs of 8,000 members of staff are likely to go, while a further 3,000 jobs of non-BHS employees who work in the stores may also be at risk.

"The British High Street is changing and in these turbulent times for retailers, BHS has fallen as another victim of the seismic shifts we are seeing," said Philip Duffy, managing director of Duff & Phelps and joint administrator.

Shopworkers' trade union Usdaw urged administrators to look after the best interests of staff and said it poses serious questions for the Government on the future of the high street.

Dave Gill, Usdaw National Officer, said: "The staff in BHS have been in a state of anxiety and uncertainty for over a year after the company was sold for one pound, went into administration and has now been put in liquidation.

"This news is a devastating blow for the staff and the shock waves will be felt on high streets throughout the country.