Peacocks returns to Parkstone six weeks after branch is closed (From Bournemouth Echo)
When news happens text pix and video to 80360. Start your message with BE then leave a space.
Peacocks returns to Parkstone six weeks after branch is closed
1:00pm Tuesday 10th April 2012 in Poole By Harriet Marsh
CELEBRATE: Assistant Manager of the Peacocks store in Ashley Road in Parkstone Lenanda Leighton, centre, with staff at the reopening
PEACOCKS has made a welcome return to Parkstone, nearly as suddenly as it closed.
Staff at the Ashley Road clothing store beamed as they re-opened for business on Saturday, six weeks after administrators dramatically shut 224 branches nationwide.
Six original Parkstone employees and three from the former Poole town centre shop had just 48 hours to re-stock the empty premises.
Assistant manager Leanda Leighton says she heard the good news on Tuesday.
Leanda, who joined four years ago, said: “I was absolutely astounded really.
“It’s brilliant news not only for myself and my colleagues but also for Parkstone.”
The women ran a petition – supported by Poole MP Robert Syms – when the budget fashion chain went into administration, but were told at 3pm one day they were out of a job.
That was behind them as they re-opened with new stock, equipment and balloons at the weekend.
Traders say former Woolworths, Bath Travel, Subway, an independent card shop and the NR Green cameras shops standing empty are bad for business.
“We need a couple more big names here,” Leanda added. “The big units look so awful empty.”
David Hunt, manager at Specialised Motor Components, welcomed the re-opening.
“I’m fed up of looking at three empty shops,” he said. “It’s very nice to see Peacocks re-open.
“Some have been shut a long, long time. I’d like a Wilkinsons or something there to attract people back.”
Mr Hunt, 50, has been at the shop 15 years.
“It’s a lot quieter these days,” he said. “People just don’t come here and we need bigger names to attract them.”
Norma Cook and Louise Dominey, from Bennetts Bakers, were also pleased.
“It’s been as dead as a door post,” Norma said. “We need something to attract people to come up here.”
Louise said: “We need something in Woolworths desperately, even a pound shop. There’s nothing to come up here for.”
Report this comment