Scarborough losing Topshop and Topman 'another blow' to town
The President of Scarborough's Chamber of Trade says she is sad to see more units go from the Brunswick Centre.
There has been another blow to Scarborough's Brunswick Shopping Centre as more units are to close permanently.
It is going to lose Topshop and Topman as ASOS has bought the brands but not the stores.
Last week, we told you that Debenhams will be switching to online-only after being purchased by fashion retailer Boohoo.
Janet Jefferson, President of Scarborough's Chamber of Trade, said:
"It is another blow and they're all part of what was the Arcadia Group, which of course was Mr. Philip Green wasn't it really? And I'm just wondering myself where it will leave the other members of Arcadia Group. Topshop and Topman are very much in the focal for young people.
"All these like Debenhams and the Arcadia Group were in jeopardy before Covid. They were all susceptible to this because of Sir Philip Green and to Debenhams, but it's really saddened me that another unit is going to go in the Brunswick.
"The Brunswick was very much part of the Arcadia group so we don't know now what's going to happen to Dorothy Perkins that's in there and the other stores. We just hope that somewhere along the line, they will not all go to just online because people still like to see what they're buying.
"The actual fashion industry has dramatically been affected by Covid and these traders are people that were in jeopardy before Covid. So I am concerned, we have to cater for our young age group and we desperately need young people to stay in our town and borough.
"I just hope that we can fill these pretty quickly. We need some more department stores coming into Scarborough in this centre as it's got the proven footfall. We need this and then everyone hopefully will get their jobs in some form.
"I'd like to see independent traders, same as in the main street, but in the past it's always been the problem of the rents and the rates because you're going to have to do double, triple the work. But I think it might open up a whole new sphere on what rents can be achieved in these places.
"One of the stores that comes into mind is Primark. We have Matalan in the town which does an exceptional job and I think one would follow on from the other and compliment the other. Both Primark and Matalan, people do travel to visit these stores and they do cater for every age group."
Sue Anderson Brown, centre manager for the Brunswick Shopping Centre, said:
“We are saddened at the recent announcements by the Arcadia Group. We will be working closely with the retailer over the coming weeks to finalise next steps for its stores in the Brunswick Shopping Centre and will provide further updates when possible.
“This national news reflects the wider challenges facing retailers across the country and we will continue to support our stores during this period.”