House of Fraser to axe 31stores risking 6000 jobs

British department store group House of Fraser with 57 stores and 2 outlets across the United Kingdom and Ireland is to shut 31 stores as part of a rescue deal, impacting 6, 000 jobs of which 2000 it employs directly and the rest brand and concession partner staff. The stores earmarked for closure are Altrincham, Aylesbury, Birkenhead, Cirencester, CwAltrinchamrlington, Doncaster, Edinburgh, Epsom, Grimsby, High Wycombe, Hull, Leamington Spa, Lincoln, London Oxford Street, London King William Street, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Plymouth, Shrewsbury, Skipton, Swindon, Telford, Wolverhampton and Worcester.

The CEO Alex Williamson said “Today’s announcement is one of the most important in this company’s 169-year history. We as a management team, have a responsibility to take necessary steps to ensure House of Fraser’ survival, which is why we are making these proposals. We are fully committed to supporting those physically affected by the proposals.”

Frank Slevin, chairman of House of Fraser said: “ The  retail industry is undergoing fundamental change and House of Fraser urgently needs to adapt to this fast-changing landscape in order to give it a future and allow it to thrive.”

Customers have also been feeling the pinch from Brexit-linked price rises and weak wage growth and the advancement of online stores.