Help pledge for BHS staff in Peterborough as chain closes

BHS is to close after rescue bids failed.

It is thought about 50 people worked at the city’s BHS store, which occupies units on two storeys of the shopping centre.

A structured winding down of the 88-year-old chain started last week following the failure of a series of rescue bids.

Nationally it will mean the loss of up to 11,000 jobs across 164 shops.

A spokesman for Queensgate said: “The closure of BHS is very disappointing, especially for the staff affected.

“We will provide whatever support we can to BHS’s staff, with every new retail brand here creating employment opportunities in the centre.”

He said it was likely the BHS unit would be quickly taken by other retailers.

He said: “Queensgate is in demand and we are confident we will add more exciting additions to the centre’s line-up.

“We actively manage Queensgate to ensure it offers visitors, be they from Peterborough or further afield, the very best mix of retailers, restaurants and leisure experiences.”

Dave Gill, Usdaw national officer, said: “I was encouraged by a conversation with the administrators, who were keen to tell me that they hadn’t liquidated the company and, although it’s on a structured wind down, the door is still open to a buyer who can meet their criteria.”

Retailer BHS opens convenience food store in Peterborough’s Queensgate shopping