'Huge blow' - Council and MPs' concerns over closure of Beatties in Wolverhampton
Beatties' closure was today described as a huge blow amid concerns over the future for shopping across Wolverhampton city centre.
Council chiefs, MPs and business leaders have expressed their dismay at the closure of the iconic Wolverhampton department store which has been a fixture for 131 years.
House of Fraser today revealed plans to axe more than half its 59 stores, affecting around 6,000 workers nationwide.
Other stores affected include the House of Fraser outlets in Telford, Shrewsbury and Birmingham.
More coverage of Beatties closure:
Wolverhampton council leader, Councillor Roger Lawrence said: "It is obviously a very serious blow.
"I have been concerned in recent years about the lack of investment made in the store and I think it has really lost its position in the market place as a result.
"Clearly it is going to have a very serious impact on the retail offer.
"We have worked previously with BHS and other closures and people have been able to get jobs in other outlets.
"We all know the whole area on retail is changing quite dramatically, with the changing online market and the tendency to focus on the out-of-town shopping area."
West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street, who is the former managing director of rival department store chain John Lewis, tweeted his sadness over the news.
He said: "The news from House of Fraser today will be devastating to many hundreds of staff.
"As well as doing what we can to help the staff affected in the West Midlands we need some innovative and creative thinking about how we support our high streets and town centres in the digital age."
Wolverhampton North East MP, Emma Reynolds, today urged another retailer to step in and takeover the well-known city centre store.
"News that House of Fraser will close its store in Wolverhampton is a huge blow to the city and the store’s employees," she said.
"Hugely disappointed and saddened by today’s announcement.
"Beatties has been an iconic Wolverhampton department store long before House of Fraser took it over.
"I fondly remember wondering round the food hall in the basement as a child and looking round the toy department with my parents.
"I hope that another major retailer will take over the store as it is so central to our high street."
Fellow MP, Pat McFadden, who represents Wolverhampton South East, added: "This is tragic news. Beatties has been a big part of Wolverhampton for over 100 years and news of its closure makes this a very sad day.
"We are not just losing a shop here but part of the city’s identity and history."
Ninder Johal, who is a board member for the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership, said the news was 'extremely disappointing'.
"Every city centre of high street needs iconic brands in order to pull consumers in," he said.
"It is desperately disappointing that such an iconic brand is withdrawing from the Black Country.
"It is possible we will start to see more major retailers struggling to keep up with the changing landscape of the high street.
"They need to understand they must use the internet to support their bricks to survive.
"No city or town centre like to see big brands like this go. It is difficult to replace iconic brands.
"Hopefully in time another brand of stature will take its place.
"It is desperately sad news, particularly when you work for a company you think is going to be around for a while.
"Other retailers do move in and I'm hoping those who feel they don't have a job may have another retailer to go to.
"They tend to be highly skilled people so hopefully there will be other opportunities for them."
Corin Crane, Black Country Chamber of Commerce chief executive, said the move showed the growing shift towards online shopping and its impact.
"It's just incredibly sad. The shop in Wolverhampton is one of our true landmarks. It's heartbreaking," he said.
"Once the shock has worn off we need to make sure workers get as much support as they can.
"We need a radical re-think about how we manage the high street.
"It is part of the global trend towards online shopping. Some of the most successful retailers are those that have embraced online shopping, Waterstones and shops like that.
"Some that have struggled, like Toys R Us, Maplin and House of Fraser haven't embraced that online presence.
"It has come as a shock but it's not a surprise. House of Fraser won't be the last of the big names to go.
"Cities need to be doing what Wolverhampton is at the moment - focusing on leisure and retail, having cinemas in the town centre and bringing in footfall in.
"A lot of people come into Wolverhampton to go into that shop. We need to think long and hard about how we manage that space."
Wednesfield councillor, Phil Bateman MBE, took to Twitter to express his disappointment, saying: "Devastating blow to Wolverhampton as Beatties set to be closed. Sad for staff, sad for city’s history."
