All three Carpetright stores in the north and north-east will close down soon following the company’s collapse.
The carpet giant has been bought by rival Tapi, which has agreed to buy 54 Carpetright stores, two warehouses, the brand and its intellectual property in a pre-pack administration deal announced yesterday.
Over a week ago, it emerged that Carpetright was at the edge of collapse and was set to appoint PwC as an administrator.
Despite the rescue deal, more than 200 Carpetright stores will close across the UK with more than 1,500 workers losing their jobs.
These include the three stores the company had in Aberdeenshire and Moray.
Aberdeen and Elgin Carpetright shops to shut down
Carpetright shops in Aberdeen will shut down for good in the next few days.
These include the one in Kittybrewster Retail Park, on Bedford Road, as well as the store in Bridge of Don Retail Park.
It will not be different in Moray, as the shop in Elgin’s Springfield Retail Park is also shutting down.
Staff members at the three stores will be made redundant with immediate effect or within the upcoming weeks.
The full list of Carpetright stores closing included the former one in Inverness’ Millburn Road.
However, the Inverness shop closed its doors over a month ago, as the unit was taken over by Blackbridge Furnishings.
‘Difficult time’ for Carpetright workers
Administrator PwC explained yesterday that they were working with the affected employees to ensure they receive the payments they are entitled too as soon as possible.
Zelf Jussain, joint administrator at PwC, acknowledged it was a “difficult time” for those workers losing their jobs.
He said: “The sale of some stores and the brand to Tapi has allowed over 300 jobs to be saved and gives the Carpetright brand the chance to continue and flourish under its new ownership.
“However, it is deeply saddening that for the remainder of the workforce there will be redundancies.
“We are committed to helping those affected and will make sure redundancy claims are processed as quickly as possible.”
‘Closures are a huge blow’
Scottish Conservative North East MSP Liam Kerr has described the closure of the two Carpetright shops in Aberdeen as a “huge blow.”
He said: “It’s devastating that Carpetright is to close both of its Aberdeen stores at two prominent retail parks across the city.
“The closures are a huge blow to Bridge of Don and Kittybrewster and will no doubt leave a void at both retail parks.
Mr Kerr continued: “My thoughts go to the workers who have been placed in this situation through no fault of their own.
“This is an extremely anxious time for staff and I urge the company to ensure the correct support measures are put in place during this difficult period.”
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