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Family-run business moves online

Thursday, 15 July 2010

STRABANE'S town centre suffered a further blow this week with the shock announcement that well-known family firm, Linton and Robinson, is to close its flagship department store in Abercorn Square later this year.
A statement released yesterday (Tuesday) said that the firm, which was established in 1954, had made the decision to move its giftware, electrical, nursery and home furnishings division, currently trading from the Abercorn Square store, "entirely online".
It is understood that the company will close its department store building, which underwent a major refurbishment in 2005, as a result of this move some time in September. Although a spokesperson from Linton and Robinson confirmed that there will be redundancies, the exact figure is not known yet.
This latest blow for the local economy comes a matter of months after independent supermarket, Better Deals, on the Melmount Road was forced to close its doors due to competition from the multinationals located at Strabane's retail parks.
The spokesperson for Linton and Robinson explained the reasons behind this week's decision to close the Abercorn Square store.
“The retail landscape has changed so much over the last decade and has resulted in many people being attracted to the multinationals. This coupled with the convenience of online shopping, increased town centre rates, lack of doorstep parking, running costs and, of course, the most severe economic recession in living history has made independent retailing in its traditional form extremely difficult.
“These factors have forced the directors reluctantly to take this necessary business decision."
The spokesperson added: "Linton and Robinson would like to thank all its customers who have entrusted their business with them and look forward to their continued custom for many years to come."
‘Difficult'
Trevor Linton, managing director of the company, said it had been "difficult" to decide to close it's well-known town centre store.
He said: "With this site's business being built around people all of whom are valued and trust worthy it has been difficult to come to this business decision.
“After growing up in the business and getting to know so many of the staff on a professional and personal basis it is very hard to come to terms with this business decision and I would like to assure people it has been with much consideration and a very heavy heart.
“The company would like to thank them publicly for their dedication and for everything they have done for the firm," Mr Linton added.
Linton and Robinson's new online gift, electrical, nursery and home furnishing business will operate from its Dock Street site, which currently employs 24 people. There are no plans to change this, the firm have said.
The spokesperson added: "The other divisions operating from this site include dairy & slurry equipment, Dock Street Supplies, waste management and particular focus on the more recently established Energy Renewables Division."
Strabane district councillor, Jim Emery, said that the closure of the firm's department store was a "great loss for the business heart" of the town.
Mr Emery said: "I have known the family and the business for decades, they are very decent people who employ all sections of the community through some of the most difficult conditions over the years and I am sure everything has been done to avoid this decision."
A spokesperson for the SDLP added: "I fully understand the pressure local independent businesses are being put under, this is further testimony to the economic environment being found all over the world.
“Linton and Robinson have a long association with retail shopping in Strabane. They have always had good customer relations and a warm and pleasant shop."

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