John Lewis in Aberdeen to close with 265 jobs at risk

Aberdeen’s John Lewis department store will remain closed after lockdown – putting 265 jobs at risk.

The retail giant is shutting eight branches across the UK, blaming the move on changing shopping habits.

Its flagship stores in Glasgow and Edinburgh will reopen on April 26 and May 14 respectively.

The John Lewis Partnership said it had entered into consultation with the 265 staff members at the Aberdeen store, which first opened in 1989.

Jamie Wishart, head of the branch, said: “I know having talked to many of our customers over my time here how dearly loved our shop is and how disappointing news of the proposed closure will be.

“I would like to thank them for all their support and loyalty.”

The closure was described as “devastating” by the Aberdeen Inspired business improvement organisation, which said it would try to persuade John Lewis to stay open.

Chief executive Adrian Watson said: “This is devastating news for the city given the nearest John Lewis store will now be more than 100 miles away.

“John Lewis is an iconic, trusted and respected retail brand which employs 265 local people, its loss will be felt widely by both staff and the people of the north east.

“Aberdeen Inspired are talking with partners to see if there is anything we can do to persuade John Lewis to reconsider this closure and save the Aberdeen store. “

The seven other 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.

Earlier this month, the John Lewis Partnership confirmed it would shut sites and said its partners would not receive an annual bonus for the first time in 68 years.

It said it expects its financials to get worse over the current financial year as it continues its shake-up and warned staff they are not expected to receive a bonus until 2022-23.

Last year, the company announced separate plans to axe around 1500 head office jobs to help cut costs.

The move was intended to help the business save around £50m as part of wider plans to reduce total costs by £300m.