Business as usual at troubled clothes shops in Jackson Square

IT was business as usual at the Bishop’s Stortford branches of Peacocks and Bonmarche this week, despite both clothing store chains facing an uncertain future.

The two premises, both in Jackson Square, are part of collapsed retail chain Peacocks Group, which went into administration last Wednesday.

Staff at the two Stortford branches were unable to say what was happening other than they were “trading as normal” this week.

The Bonmarche fashion chain – apart from three stores – was bought out of administration by private equity firm Sun European Partners for an undisclosed amount on Monday. Sun has told the media it will run 230 stores and close around 160. This would lead to some 1,400 staff losing their jobs.

Administrators at KPMG are seeking a buyer for the Peacocks chain of 563 shops and 48 concessions across Britain. The deadline for the first round of bids is Monday.

Heaven, the women’s boutique in Palmers Lane, is closed. An estate agent’s sign in the window of the empty shop advertises the premises as “under offer”.