John Lewis confirms permanent closure of Aberdeen store

John Lewis is to close its branch in Aberdeen permanently, the company has confirmed.

The announcement was made following a consultation with 265 staff members over the future of the site.

The retailer has said it will be meeting with each partner individually to discuss how it can support them over the coming months.

Jamie Wishart, head of branch for John Lewis Aberdeen, expressed his “immense sadness” over the closure of the store, which first opened in 1989.

“For the past 31 years, generations of Partners have served Aberdeen and the surrounding communities with pride and love,” he said.

“It is therefore with immense sadness that our time here has come to an end.

“I would like to thank our customers for their loyalty and for the outpouring of support we have received in these past few months – it’s been both heartwarming and uplifting.

“Our partners throughout the years have also been a credit to our partnership and to our shop – they have made a difference to customers everyday and they will continue to be supported over the coming months.

“Aberdeen is a special place and I wish the city every success in the future.”

John Lewis said that staff who are not able to stay with the partnership will have access to a retraining fund, which will contribute up to £3000 towards a recognised qualification or course for up to two years for any partner with two years’ service or more.

All Partners will also have the option of a three month support programme with an outplacement specialist to help with CV writing and interview skills, the retailer said.

The company stated that in addition to statutory redundancy payments, partners who have worked with the business for more than a year will be entitled to partnership redundancy pay, which equates to two weeks’ pay for every year of service, regardless of age.

They also said that those with less than one year’s service who leave on grounds of redundancy will receive an ex-gratia tax-free payment equivalent to one week’s contractual pay.