Aberdeen's John Lewis to close permanently
The retail giant has announced eight stores - including Aberdeen's Bon Accord Unit - won't be re-opening.
Last updated 24th Mar 2021
Aberdeen's John Lewis store is set to close.
The department store retailer told staff on Wednesday morning that it will not reopeneight stores after lockdown measures lift, as it undergoes a major shift in strategy to adapt to changing shopping habits.
This is a move that puts 1,465 jobs at risk across the eight branches.
The eight shops set to close comprise four At Home stores in Ashford, Basingstoke, Chester and Tunbridge Wells and four department stores in Peterborough, Sheffield and York and of course Aberdeen.
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Douglas Lumsden said it is "devastating news" for the city.
"I'm actually quite angry as well about it" He said, after the City Council attempted to open dialogue with the head office of John Lewis - "It's been difficult to get any engagement with them"
He continued: "It is such a key part of the City Centre.
"It means a lot to many people, it attracts people from right across the region into the city centre.
"It's going to be a huge, huge loss to Aberdeen"
Councillor Lumsden will also be approaching bosses to urge them to overturn the decision, and is setting up a petition.
Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central said:
“This is extremely disappointing news for Aberdeen and my first thoughts are with all the staff who will be impacted by this huge loss.
“George Street used to be a bustling thoroughfare, but it has been neglected for too long - it’s high time the City Centre Masterplan was extended to include the area which is so obviously part of our city centre.
“We need a taskforce set up to include traders, and the council, in order to properly rejuvenate this part of Aberdeen - we used to have a City Centre Traders Association which put a concerted effort into George Street so it’s time to establish something similar.
“This plan is of the utmost importance to Aberdeen as we emerge from the pandemic and I hope those that run our city take that on board.”
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