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BHS workers worry about life when the shops shut for good BHS workers worry about life when the shops shut for good
(3 months later)
“It was a strange mixture of a punch in the stomach and a relief,” says one BHS shop worker describing the moment thousands of staff heard the retailer was heading for closure on Thursday afternoon.“It was a strange mixture of a punch in the stomach and a relief,” says one BHS shop worker describing the moment thousands of staff heard the retailer was heading for closure on Thursday afternoon.
Related: BHS rescue bid fails with loss of 11,000 jobs
With just eight more weeks of pay promised as staff help sell the remains of BHS’s stock, many workers feel sure they will be looking at a spell on benefits. They may not get more than the government-backed statutory pay-off of up to 12 weeks’ pay or a maximum of £5,748. If stores are sold, some may be transferred over to the new owners.With just eight more weeks of pay promised as staff help sell the remains of BHS’s stock, many workers feel sure they will be looking at a spell on benefits. They may not get more than the government-backed statutory pay-off of up to 12 weeks’ pay or a maximum of £5,748. If stores are sold, some may be transferred over to the new owners.
One BHS staff member who spoke to the Guardian on condition of anonymity said he had one colleague who was expecting a baby in a few months and did not know if she would receive maternity pay. Others who are now in their 50s and 60s and have worked for the company for more than 20 years are finding it hard to contemplate a life outside the womenswear department.One BHS staff member who spoke to the Guardian on condition of anonymity said he had one colleague who was expecting a baby in a few months and did not know if she would receive maternity pay. Others who are now in their 50s and 60s and have worked for the company for more than 20 years are finding it hard to contemplate a life outside the womenswear department.
“Everyone is shell-shocked,” he said. “Even if there are jobs available, it will be a real shock to some. It does become a family to people after a certain number of years as well as employment. It’s like breaking up a family.”“Everyone is shell-shocked,” he said. “Even if there are jobs available, it will be a real shock to some. It does become a family to people after a certain number of years as well as employment. It’s like breaking up a family.”
The employee, who has worked at the retailer for seven years, was clear that most members of staff blame Sir Philip Green for the demise of their jobs and community. “He was at the helm for longer and a bigger chunk of the millions went into that black hole. Dominic Chappell took control of an already crashing vehicle.”The employee, who has worked at the retailer for seven years, was clear that most members of staff blame Sir Philip Green for the demise of their jobs and community. “He was at the helm for longer and a bigger chunk of the millions went into that black hole. Dominic Chappell took control of an already crashing vehicle.”
Related: Former BHS owner sent abusive message to chief exec after chain collapsed
He added that the stores became increasingly dilapidated during his time at BHS. “The lifts were constantly broken down and we never had air conditioning. I’ve seen shoppers walk in for 30 seconds and walk out again because of the lack of air con. We always looked like we were on the way down,” he said. “There seemed to be plenty of money floating around in certain circles but there was not much on the shopfloor.”He added that the stores became increasingly dilapidated during his time at BHS. “The lifts were constantly broken down and we never had air conditioning. I’ve seen shoppers walk in for 30 seconds and walk out again because of the lack of air con. We always looked like we were on the way down,” he said. “There seemed to be plenty of money floating around in certain circles but there was not much on the shopfloor.”
When Chappell’s Retail Acquisitions bought the business for £1 in March last year, staff were kept on after hours to hear a presentation promising new investment and big changes.When Chappell’s Retail Acquisitions bought the business for £1 in March last year, staff were kept on after hours to hear a presentation promising new investment and big changes.
“We were promised a great turnaround ... that everything was going to be fine and dandy. But we could see that wasn’t happening,” the employee said.“We were promised a great turnaround ... that everything was going to be fine and dandy. But we could see that wasn’t happening,” the employee said.
Many staff felt the new owners’ continuation of Green’s experiment in introducing groceries to stores was “just bizarre” and money would have been better spent on improving the areas which shoppers already appreciated in BHS, such as lighting, homewares or women’s clothing.Many staff felt the new owners’ continuation of Green’s experiment in introducing groceries to stores was “just bizarre” and money would have been better spent on improving the areas which shoppers already appreciated in BHS, such as lighting, homewares or women’s clothing.
As soon as Retail Acquisitions took over, it became obvious that bits of stock which had historically been reliable sellers were no longer available as suppliers pulled out because fearing they might not be paid.As soon as Retail Acquisitions took over, it became obvious that bits of stock which had historically been reliable sellers were no longer available as suppliers pulled out because fearing they might not be paid.
When it was announced BHS was going into administration on 25 April, the employee said staff were upset and there were tears on the shopfloor but there was still some hope.When it was announced BHS was going into administration on 25 April, the employee said staff were upset and there were tears on the shopfloor but there was still some hope.
Related: Green and Chappell face major dressing down over BHS saga
“At first there appeared to be a cast list of many bidders and some white knights but, as things dragged on, we started to think that was strange and that it was taking so long given there was apparently so many wonderful bidders.”“At first there appeared to be a cast list of many bidders and some white knights but, as things dragged on, we started to think that was strange and that it was taking so long given there was apparently so many wonderful bidders.”
As negotiations continued and bidders came and went, he said staff resigned themselves to the fact that the business was likely to be closed down.As negotiations continued and bidders came and went, he said staff resigned themselves to the fact that the business was likely to be closed down.
“Every time the deadline was pushed back, we felt like we were being fobbed off. It seemed like a decision had been made some time ago,” he said.“Every time the deadline was pushed back, we felt like we were being fobbed off. It seemed like a decision had been made some time ago,” he said.
While administrators say they are still looking for a potential deal, even as they wind down the business and sell off stock, the employee said the biggest hope of the workers is that they will get paid. “We’re not feeling terribly trusting of anybody at the moment but we’ll have to take them at their word.”While administrators say they are still looking for a potential deal, even as they wind down the business and sell off stock, the employee said the biggest hope of the workers is that they will get paid. “We’re not feeling terribly trusting of anybody at the moment but we’ll have to take them at their word.”