ONE of the UK’s historic department stores, Jenners in Edinburgh, is to close with a loss of 200 jobs.
The announcement was made after Frasers Group plc failed to reach an agreement with building owners Anders Polvsen to continue the lease on the building.
The House of Fraser department store is expected to cease trading on May 3.
The shop has been a landmark on Princes Street for the last 183 years, previously trading as an independent shop until it was acquired by House of Fraser in 2005.
A spokesman for Frasers said: “Despite the global pandemic, numerous lockdowns and the turbulence caused for British retail, the landlord hasn’t been able to work mutually on a fair agreement, therefore, resulting in the loss of 200 jobs and a vacant site for the foreseeable future with no immediate plans.
“Our commitment to our Frasers strategy remains but landlords and retailers need to work together in a fair manner, especially when all stores are closed.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank our Jenners staff for their hard work and dedication.”
The building in Princes Street is owned by Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen who said in 2019 he planned an "exciting renovation". It has been reported that he is developing a hotel and retail space at the site.
The news follows the collapse of House of Fraser in Edinburgh, which is expected to be turned into a new seven-storey whisky visitor centre by drinks giant Diageo.
READ MORE: Plans submitted to transform iconic House of Fraser building
It would include a new store setup in the building, rooftop bars, an events space and a bar academy, which would provide training and employment opportunities for people out of work, as well as working to improve standards in the hospitality sector.
House of Fraser fell on hard times in the 1990s and early 2000s. Scottish retail entrepreneur Sir Tom Hunter tried to buy the chain but was rebuffed.
READ MORE: The fall of House of Fraser – the sad collapse of a one-time Scottish success story
The company began to retrench in Scotland in particular, closing branches of Frasers and Arnotts around the country before it bounced back in 2005 by buying Jenner’s.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel