Barrow clothes store to shut
Last updated at 12:03, Tuesday, 26 May 2009
A WOMEN’S clothes shop in Barrow town centre has become the latest victim of the credit crunch.
Bay Trading in Portland Walk closed its doors to shoppers on Thursday, a month after its parent company Alexon went into administration.
Administrators Deloitte UK were hoping a buyer would rescue the company.
But on Wednesday a letter from them was posted in the shop window to confirm it would be closing.
Part of Epcoscan Limited, which trades as Bay Trading, was sold to Rinku Group.
But not all the outlets were sold as part of the deal, including the Barrow branch.
The shop, which opened in Barrow 13 years ago, employed four people.
Members of staff were packing up the last of the stock on Friday.
Yvonne Athersmith, chairwoman of Barrow Traders’ Association, said: “It’s very sad.
“That’s another business gone out of Barrow and we rely on them all.
“Barrow seems to be fairing better than other places, but still this is another blow to the town centre. Hopefully the money that is being invested into the centre will encourage more people back and new businesses too.
“Hopefully things will turn around soon.”
Wilf Proctor, a member of Barrow Traders’ Association and manager of the Blind Shop, said: “This is another tragedy for Barrow town centre and most of all for the staff who are affected.
“It’s very sad but it reflects the time we’re living in at the moment.
“The recession will end. I have seen it all before. I just wouldn’t like to stab a guess at when. “There is a light at the end of the tunnel, there has to be, but I just don’t know when it will appear.
“From my point of view, I must say that trading remains immensely difficult so let’s hope that the people of Barrow support businesses so that we can all keep going.”
Staff at Barrow’s Bay Trading refused to comment.
l Greetings card firm Birthdays, which has 332 branches nationwide, including one in Dalton Road, Barrow, has gone into administration. A spokeswoman for Birthdays said: “The company is in the very early stages of administration at the moment so we cannot say whether the Barrow store will be closing at this time.
“We don’t have any information on local branches.”
First published at 11:36, Tuesday, 26 May 2009
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
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Has the council considered playing 'piped' music in Portland Walk/Dalton Road? It would be the cheapest system on the planet, as they would only need to pay royalties on one song; 'Another one bites the dust'.
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The majority of people in Barrow are trying to get behind the "Love Barrow" campaign. I believe it's there for all the right reasons. It's trying to drum up enthusiasm for the much needed regeneration of our town.
With Murray Easton as the chairman, I donât think it will be long before we see the "Love Barrow" campaign go into fruition, and start making some real changes.I agree that there needs to be immediate action confronting the state of Dalton road and Portland walk, however, we are in the midst of an economic downturn, and town centres across the nation are all suffering.Cynical comments like those above help nobody.Posted by Jonny Sloan on 28 May 2009 at 13:44