Strabane’s Bon Marche store remaining open for business
Thursday, 9 February 2012
STAFF at Strabane's Bonmarche store have said they are "thrilled" after receiving confirmation that they are staying open for business.
Speculation over the future of the local branch grew last month when the previous owners of the UK fashion chain, the Peacocks Group, went into administration.
However, Bonmarche's new owners, private equity group Sun European Partners, who bought the company at the end of January, subsequently announced that the Strabane store, based in Main Street, was one of five across Northern Ireland that would be saved from closure - along with outlets in Armagh, Lisburn, Newtownards and Ballymena.
A total of 12 branches in Northern Ireland are to close, including stores in Omagh and Londonderry.
Yesterday (Tuesday), workers at Strabane Bonmarche were prompted to take the unusual step of releasing a press statement after being inundated with telephone calls from customers asking if they were shutting.
The statement read: "Staff at Bonmarche Strabane are pleased to announce that their store is one of only five to remain open in Nothern Ireland under new owners, Sun European Partners.
“Bonmarche are one of the UK's largest retailers focused on selling affordable quality woman's wear in a wide range of sizes to woman aged 35 and over."
Meanwhile, Laura Devine, the Strabane store manager, added: "Staff are thrilled with the news that we are to remain open. We would like to extend a special thanks to all of our customers for their support and messages of encouragement over the last few weeks."
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