Businesses come together to support doomed BHS staff

The store in Priory Meadow Shopping Centre is likely to close after an attempt to rescue the business failed.

The company went into administration in April but the failure to find a buyer means 163 branches across the country look set to close, with 11,000 jobs on the line.

Town centre manager Rob Woods said he felt sorry for staff losing their jobs but store managers are working together to circulate CVs.

“The store in Hastings will continue to trade while the company sells off its stock but it will undoubtedly leave a hole as it is one of the biggest shops in the centre,” he said.

“I feel sorry for the staff at BHS and would like to reassure them that a scheme to circulate their CV’s to other retailers is being spearheaded by managers in M&S, EE, Boots, Greggs and Santander Bank.

“Reports in 2015 confirmed it was struggling but we always hoped that a buyer would be found.

“If it closes for good it will not only leave a lot of people without work but will also leave a big void in the Priory Meadow shopping centre which the owners, New River Retail, would presumably want to fill as quickly as possible.

“Consumer spending habits would suggest that that is most likely to be a discount retailer or a value fashion chain.”

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