House of Fraser closures: Store chain’s plight ‘reflects retail state’
The closure of House of Fraser stores reflects the state of the current retail sector, say Shropshire business bosses.
People across Shropshire have been reacting to the news that the Telford and Shrewsbury stores are set to close, and more than 200 jobs will be lost.
Seb Slater, executive director at Shrewsbury Business Improvement District, insists he remains positive about the future of Shrewsbury town centre.
He said: “We are sad to hear the news and it is a shame to be losing one of our national brands. However, we remain positive about the future of the town’s retail appeal.
“Shrewsbury continues to attract destination brands such as Primark, Pret a Manger and Barbour who have recently joined the growing range of national brands here and which complement our strong and eclectic mix of independent retailers.
“However, we also appreciate there are tremendous pressures on the retail sector across the country, but as Shrewsbury BID we firmly believe that working in partnership with the town council and Shropshire Council on the Big Town Plan, we will ensure Shrewsbury can continue to grow with the strong opportunities our destination presents for the investor.”
Shrewsbury Town Council leader Alan Mosley said he was concerned about the implications for those who will lose their jobs.
He said: “It’s a great disappointment all around and a loss to the town centre and its attractions – but I’m also concerned about the implications for the number of people who are out of work and their re-employment.
“It’s an indication in terms of shopping and retail at a time when Shropshire Council has just spend 50-odd million on the three shopping centres.
“I said at the time that this was going to be an enormous risk to the council and tax payers of Shropshire and unfortunately the closure of House of Fraser is evidence that this may result in trouble.
“It’s a great loss to the town and its attraction for residents and visitors – and particularly that this will mean a significant number of people without work in a difficult financial climate.”
Councillor Mosley said he imagined the ground floor of the building could still be shops, with the upper floors used as flats and offices.
“It’s difficult to imagine anyone taking over that building as a retail outlet," he said.
“I would hope that the ground floor could be utilised for retail and the rest presumably to be converted into offices and or residential accommodation.
“I would imagine given the reconfiguration of the building it’s going to be difficult to refurbish it,” he added.
Shrewsbury and Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski declined to comment on the closure.
Councillor Shaun Davies, the leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, said that the authority would do what it could to help people who lost their jobs at the Telford branch of House of Fraser.
He said he was confident the owners of the shopping centre will make sure it remained an attraction in the future.
He said: “House Fraser are a key and important brand in the town centre – I know the private owners of the shopping centre will be working hard to secure the future of the store. As a council our national leading Job Box programme will be on hand to help staff and their families find new jobs or retrain.
“Telford shopping centre is a regional retail attraction and I know from my conversations with the private owners they have plans to improve the offer here in Telford and ensure their offer is fit for the new High Street of the future in the age of internet shopping.”
