BHS store to shut as MPs slate ex-boss

SET for closure . . . Oldham's BHS store in the Spindles shopping centre

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OLDHAM'S BHS store will be closing down next month, it has been announced.

Some 55 members of staff at the Oldham branch are set to lose their jobs in what is also a blow to Oldham's Spindles shopping centre, where a two-floor BHS branch opened four years ago.

A total of 19 stores across the country closed down last week, with another 30 to close on Saturday. The remaining stores, including Oldham and Manchester's Arndale centre, will close by August 20.

Former BHS boss Sir Philip Green has repeatedly been blasted for taking around £400 million in dividends out of BHS during his 15-year ownership and for selling the firm ­- which went into administration in April ­- to former bankrupt Dominic Chappell for £1 in 2015.

Some 11,000 jobs are on the way to being lost and 20,000 pensions remain at risk.

Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon wrote to former Prime Minister David Cameron last month for his support in stripping billionaire retail boss Sir Philip of his knighthood.

He said in Parliament that Sir Philip, chairman of the Arcadia Group retailing company, was "not fit to lick the boots of these people let alone be a knight of the realm".

Sir Philip's Oldham-based shops group at one time included Owen Owen and Xceptions.

The latter's distribution base was at Borough Mill, Oldham, and employed 120 staff.

Sir Philip, along with David Thompson, bought Owen Owen for a reported £100 million in 1995, before moving its administration and distribution work to Oldham.

The retail billionaire had already transformed the ailing Parker and Franks business in Oldham into the successful Xceptions stores group.

Hole
During a parliamentary hearing, Sir Philip apologised to BHS staff and admitted that he sold the business to the "wrong guy", adding that he will "sort" the firm's pension scheme which has a £571 million black hole.

In their report on BHS, the Work and Pensions and Business, Innovations and Skills Committees called the collapse of the British stores group "the unacceptable face of capitalism .

Frank Field MP, chairman of the committee, argued Sir Phillip was worse than Robert Maxwell, who plundered the pensions of his Mirror Group.

The Cabinet Office has said that Sir Philip's knighthood is being kept under review.

Dave Gill, national officer for the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) said: "Following the news that all remaining BHS stores will be closed by August 20, USDAW calls on the administrators to redouble their efforts in finding a buyer for the remaining stores and to secure as many jobs as possible.

"We also call on Sir Philip Green to honour the two promises he made to BHS staff as soon as possible after the company went into administration.

"Firstly, to offer employment within the Arcadia Group to the blameless, dedicated and loyal staff who suddenly find themselves unemployed.

"Secondly, to 'sort' the pension scheme and we await details of what he proposes.

"The 11,000 hard working and loyal staff will today be feeling very angry and totally let down following the publication today of the Parliamentary Select Committee Report into the running of BHS.

"It is clear the rapid demise of the company is down to a handful of people who have been more interested in indulging in a game of corporate monopoly for their own gain."