Peacocks news: Retailer bought of of administration saving 2,000 jobs and 200 stores


The deal, which follows Peacocks falling into administration in November, is set to save all 1,850 store staff currently on furlough and 150 head office and support roles. The retailer will open its doors once again on April 12 when the lockdown restrictions ease.

Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Ponden Home and Bonmarche were all saved from administration at the beginning of the year in a deal with Purepay Retail.

EWM Group filed for administration last autumn, which put more than 24,000 jobs at risk.

At the time, Steve Simpson, chief executive of the EWM Group said that the past seven months had been “extremely difficult”.

The majority of stores were saved, with 119 Edinburgh Woollen Mill and Ponden stores closing for good.

The further eight store closures include those in Peterborough, Aberdeen, York and Sheffield.

The stores in Tunbridge Wells, Ashford, Basingstoke and Chester are also closing their doors for good.

Sharon White, Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, said: “Today’s announcement is incredibly sad news for our affected Partners, for our customers and for the communities we’ve served over many years.

“The high street is going through its biggest change for a generation and we are changing with it. Customers will still be able to get the trusted service that we are known for – however and wherever they want to shop.”

Chocolate brand Thorntons also closed their doors for good earlier this year after the company said it had been “operating for a long time in a tough and challenging retail environment”.

Despite the store closures, Thorntons will still operate online, meaning fans can continue to get their hands on their favourite chocolate.

The chocolate company has racked up more than £130million in losses since Italian confectionery group Ferrero bought the company six years ago.



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