Thursday 25 August 2011

TJ Hughes as gone with the loss of more jobs

Going back to a article i posted earlier here we have it TJ Hughes have closed and yet more jobs have gone and i feel sorry for the people that have lost there jobs whos to blame lets start with the conservative goverment going right down to councillor level and the labour party see all that labour party can do is create work schemes ( jet )what use is that we need to start making stuff like pottery steel bring coal up from these unused pits that are lying empty but until it registers in the brains of lab/cons/lib party that we need to start creating and making stuff and they give us a referendum and we stop bowing down to our EU dictators and stop immigration this will keep happening   ( heres the article )


As TJ Hughes closes, what's in store now for key site?

Thursday, August 25, 2011
Profile image for The Sentinel
SHOPPERS picked up a bargain before a doomed city centre store closed its doors for the final time.
Items in the TJ Hughes store in Hanley were reduced by up to 90 per cent before the shop closed at noon yesterday.
And even some of the fixtures and fittings were up for grabs as the former Woolworths store was completely cleared.
The department store's closure has resulted in 43 staff losing their jobs.
The Liverpool-based discount chain collapsed in June and Ernst and Young was appointed as administrator.
The Hanley branch, – which opened in 2009 following a £1 million refit, is among 12 nationwide that have closed this month. About 30 of the firm's 57 outlets had already closed.
Now, calls are being made for a retailer to step in and take on the unit.
Richard Day, of the City Centre Partnership, said: "It's a large store and will create a void in the city centre. That was the problem when Woolworths closed.
"It's important that it is promoted and another tenant can be found as soon as possible.
"It is crucial to continue to address the public realm in the city centre as an attractive environment will help attract a new tenant."
North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce chief executive Bryan Carnes believes the emergence of the proposed East West Shopping Centre will further attract investors.
He said: "It's a key site and as such should be desirable for any retailer who wants to open a business in a busy shopping area. Hanley has a very high footfall.
"But we must realise the retail industry is not in a healthy state."
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has confirmed it will help market the property to new investors.
City renewal director Hardial Bhogal said: "We will be looking to promote the future use of the building in the city centre as we continue to look for ways to attract businesses to Stoke-on-Trent.
"We will also offer support to those staff who have been made redundant and work with the local job centres to help where we can."
Susan Thursfield, owner of Kerryhill Nurseries, runs a flower and plant stall opposite TJ Hughes three days a week.
Susan, from Bagnall, said: "The staff were all in fancy dress and it was quite busy as they have been knocking a further 10 per cent off the items every day.
"I hope somebody takes it on soon. I remember that when Woolworths closed it was really depressing to look at, especially during the winter nights."
Meanwhile, shoppers are hoping to see a new firm take on the vacant store.
Debbie Wallbank, from Stone, said: "I would like to see something like a H&M store or something like that.
"I wouldn't want to see an outlet that we already have elsewhere in the city centre.
"It's a big building and there is scope to have perhaps smaller units in there, along with a coffee shop or something like that."
Sandra Riley, from Tean, is sorry to see TJ Hughes close.
The 56-year-old said: "I would like to see something similar open in its place as it was useful having a shop which sold a variety of things."
Leah Booth, aged 24, from Packmoor, said: "I would like to see something like a Nando's or a Wagamama as it's something we need here."